BUTLER TWP — Ethan Linnon was “bright,” “like sunshine” and “a friend to everyone,” according to the students, parents and teachers who gathered Friday to celebrate his life.

In the week since his death, Linnon’s classmates have been rallying to honor his life and to help each other cope with his tragic loss.

Linnon, a Butler High School senior, died early on Oct. 17 on Meridian Road in Penn Township when the Toyota coupe he was driving left the road and struck a tree. He was 18.

The two passengers in the car, Nicole Fry and Hannah Starcher, were injured.

Starcher was taken to Butler Memorial Hospital and later released. Fry was flown by medical helicopter to Allegheny General Hospital. As of Friday afternoon, she was in good condition at the hospital.

Linnon’s friends reacted quickly to the tragedy, wanting to do something to honor Linnon, who was known to many as a friendly face at the high school and the leader of the Butler student section for football and other games.

On Friday afternoon mourners gathered outside the high school to release 200 black and gold balloons.

His parents attended Friday night’s home football game against Fox Chapel and took part in the coin flip before the game.

Mary Schnur, owner of MARK-IM screen printing and embroidery shop in Butler, said her son Zachary was among the students who had the idea to have T-shirts made up with a Batman logo and Linnon’s name on the back. Batman was a favorite of Linnon’s, and he often was seen wearing a shirt with that logo.

Butler football coaches, students in the stands and many fans wore the T-shirts at Friday’s game.

A moment of silence was observed before the football game for Linnon and the two injured girls.

Sheri Henderson, one of several parents who helped plan the balloon release, said she was moved by all the support the students and the community had shown.

“I’m thoroughly in awe at how this community has come together after this terrible tragedy,” she said.