'It's a Parent's Worst Nightmare,' Says Father of Teen Killed in Crash: ICYMI

Alexander Murk should have been on his way to Penn State last week.

Instead, his parents held a funeral service and his Wootton High School classmates mourned.

Murk, 18, of Potomac and Calvin Jia-Xing Li, 18, of Rockville died June 25 after they and two other friends attended an underage drinking party, according to Montgomery County Police. Neither teen was wearing a seat belt.

“It’s a parent’s worst nightmare. I pulled into driveway with two officers who told me my son was dead,” Alexander Murk’s father said at a vigil for the teens held June 28 at the crash scene.

SEE ALSO: Teens Attended Underage Drinking Party Before Deadly Crash, Police Say (Updated)

The foursome’s car left the road, struck a tree and flipped over in North Potomac. Police said they are investigating whether speed, alcohol use and a lack of seatbelt use were factors in the deadly crash.

Authorities say Samuel Joseph Ellis, 18, of North Potomac was the driver. Ellis – the school’s quarterback -- was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The front seat passenger has not been identified by police, but was treated and released from the hospital.

On June 29, Principal Michael Doran told the students who attended the vigil they were welcome to come to Wootton High School Monday for support.

The school has posted information on its website about talking to children about death and alcohol use.

“I love you all,” Doran told the assembled teens, reports Montgomery Community Media.

Montgomery County Police Capt. Thomas Didone said that cold beer in plastic cups was found inside the car. The investigation into the party continues, and police issued citations at that scene, although Didone would not specify what tickets were issued or how many.

He said when police arrived at the party house the gathering had already broken up. An adult was at the home were the party took place but Didone would not disclose whether an adult was at the home during the party.

“These tragedies will continue until we stop enabling underage drinking,” Didone told reporters. “It starts with what are your kids doing at night … being actively involved as parents, having those courageous conversations … with your kids so they come home safe. Good kids make bad decisions.”

Didone said the area is monitored by speed cameras, but they are turned off at night and on weekends.

The elder Murk urged the students to learn from the mistake that cost his son his life.

“You have one life, you are young in high school and you think it is the world,” he said. “You’re invincible and Alex was the same way and I don’t have my son.”

»PHOTOS: Wootton High School students gathered June 28 at the site of a car crash that killed two popular graduates and injured the former quarterback as Principal Michael Doran talks to the crowd, courtesy of Montgomery Communty Media; photo of Alex Murk from funeral home.