SEBASTIAN —- Sebastian River High School and its football program are mourning the loss of one of its own.
Former Sharks lineman Joseph Lomas died in a motorcycle crash during the late-morning hours on Jan. 11 in Brevard County. He was one of two motorcyclists killed in the crash, after both struck a vehicle that was turning left into a private accessway, according to the Florida High Patrol. Lomas was 19 years old.
The crash was first reported by Florida Today.
Sebastian River head football coach Tony Perry described Lomas as an unselfish player.
“He was a great teammate. He always wanted to make sure his teammates were fine,” Perry said. “He had a great work ethic and was just a guy that was trying to have an impact in our program. … He always put other people before him. That’s how he was as a teammate. That how he was as a kid, just wanted to make an impact where we could. It’s too soon.”
Graduating in 2025, Lomas spent all four years of his prep football career with Sebastian River. He played his final three seasons on varsity and was a member of the Sharks’ SSAA Atlantic League championship team in 2023.
A candlelight vigil was planned for 5 p.m. Jan. 13 at 436 Puffin Drive in Sebastian.
A GoFundMe has been set up in Lomas’ honor and in support of his mother with a goal of $7,000. Melissa Salas, who identified herself as Lomas’ cousin, created the fundraiser and notes that Lomas enlisted into the United States Marine Corps. At 4 p.m. Jan. 13, 58 donors have raised $5,690.
“He bled Shark blue. Between the ups and downs, the wins and losses, he was still a Shark,” Perry said. “That was one thing that I was proud of him about. He told me he was going into the Marines, he had a plan. That was the type of person he was, always trying to find a way to get something done.”
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Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at 772-985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Former Sebastian River lineman Joseph Lomas dies in motorcycle crash
Reporting by Patrick Bernadeau, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
