Candlelight Vigil Planned for Washington-Lee Teen

A candlelight vigil on the Washington-Lee High School football field is planned for Wednesday night to remember the life of senior John Malvar.

Malvar, 18, died Tuesday after a crash while skateboarding. Police say he was hanging onto the side of a pickup truck driven by a 17-year-old friend as the two were leaving Arlington Career Center.

Malvar was a college-bound senior set to graduate this month. He had recently received a perfect attendance award.

More than 700 students had signed up to attend tonight's vigil as of early Wednesday morning, according to the Washington-Lee PTA. Everyone is being asked to wear black.

"He was a good guy. He made [skating] sessions better," Malvar's friend, Oscar Monzon, told NBC Washington.

In lieu of interviews, Washington-Lee Principal Gregg Robertson issued the following statement:

“Yesterday, Washington-Lee lost an incredible young man. I know things like that are often said of individuals that pass away; however for John, it could not be a truer statement. I will never see a brighter smile than that of John Malvar. He was thrilled last week when he received his perfect attendance award. I think that is very telling of his determination and dedication to himself and others. I’m very proud of the Washington-Lee community during this difficult time.  Students in particular are coming together to celebrate John’s life and the contributions he made to his fellow classmates and to our school. In the coming days and weeks, all of us will remember John’s life in many ways.  John will always remain close to our hearts and be remembered for the caring, outstanding young man he was."

Malvar planned to go to Virginia Commonwealth University to study nursing, according to WJLA. He had already joined the VCU Class of 2017 group on Facebook.

Hundreds of students also attended a prayer service Tuesday night.