PC senior football player, 17, killed in Hwy. 109 crash

The community is mourning the loss of Pike County High School senior Peyton Rivera, 17, who died in a tragic car accident over the Labor Day weekend on Highway 109 west.

Hundreds attended a candlelight vigil at Christ Chapel Wednesday night at Christ Chapel Community Church with many students and family members comforting each other. Peyton, #7, helped lead the Pirates to their first two wins of the season and the Pike County High School community honored his memory by wearing red and #7 at Friday night’s game.

“Peyton was a senior at PCHS, an athlete and a great young man,” said PCHS principal Kevin Huffstetler. “Peyton had a smile that would light up the room. He was a leader on and off the field, and he made our school better just with his presence. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, students, staff, and community during this incredibly difficult time. Please keep the family, as well as the Pike County community, in your prayers.”

Grief counselors were available to all students and staff when they returned to school after Labor Day weekend.

A celebration of life service was held Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. at Christ Chapel with visitation from noon to 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that online donations (at gofundme./e2decd10) be made to benefit the Pirates Touchdown Club in Peyton’s memory.

“Our family was just so overwhelmed by the love and support of this community,” said his step mother Jennifer Rivera. “The love y’all showed is what Peyton showed to so many. I’m so happy we had the opportunity to share him with the world and how much of an impact he has left on everyone!”

Head football coach Stephen Holmes’ wife Laurie Holmes posted on social media noting the coach was distraught about “losing another former football player, an outstanding young man and a young man that Stephen loved.”

On April 29, Laurie posted a photo of coach Holmes praying with Peyton standing nearby with his hand on his coach’s shoulder. She noted that he had been up early picking up helmets for the players and was staying out late with the team at the FCA banquet in Columbus. She wrote, “To the parents of this young man, I hope you see this. That young man’s hand on my husband’s shoulder praying over him means more to me than words can ever describe!”

A memorial was built at the site of the wreck with seven crosses of varying sizes constructed as well as footballs with notes inscribed, stuffed animals, balloons, water and gatorade bottles, flowers and other items. Despite there being little room on the side of Highway 109 west, groups of students gathered at the site to remember Peyton. Family members requested that visitors to the site not get on the road at all in order to prevent another tragic death and asked for everyone driving down Highway 109 to slow down over the next few weeks to watch for any pedestrians.

Other school systems have reached out to support Pike students, including the Crawford County volleyball team who asked to pray together with Pike before the varsity game.

“In a tight huddle, they prayed for our girls as they navigate this tough time, our community and Peyton’s family,” posted Lindsay Yarbrough. “Then, they broke the huddle to FAMILY!”

Two different t-shirts were created in his memory, with proceeds going to the Pirates football program. For the #SevenStrong shirts with a sublimated image on front and ‘jersey-style’ Rivera and number 7 on the back, go to square.link/u/6sAVmqW9.

Those who would like In Memory of Peyton shirts can Venmo $20 to @Christian-Willis-13 with shirt size and #Rivera7.