San Dimas High students and baseball players hold a candlelight vigil Monday night for Eddie Miles, who died in a car crash earlier in the day. The funeral arrangements are below, please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. For CBS News’ Monday night report, click link.
Photo: Mike Mullen / Correspondent
Service Update for: Edwin (Eddie) Stephen Miles
Monday, August 31, 4 pm
Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church, (southeast corner of Bonita Avenue and San Dimas Canyon Road) 724 E. Bonita Avenue San Dimas, CA 91773
A scholarship fund has been set up in memory of this wonderful young man: Edwin (Eddie) Miles Scholarship Fund Stellar Business Bank. 100 N. Azusa Avenue, Covina, CA 91722, Account #01102642. Attention: Tula Lee. Reception info to be given at service.
Further, Cindy, Dean and Dennis sincerely appreciate the immense outpouring of sympathy expressed by everyone in the community. If you have any questions, please call Eagle Escrow at the number listed below.
Denise Campagna and Sharie Bowers
Eagle Escrow Co. 901 E. Route 66, Suite B
Glendora, CA 91740 Phone (626) 914-4523,Fax (626) 914-6923
By Daniel Tedford and Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writers
SAN DIMAS – The first day of class at San Dimas High School ended with the tragic news that a recently graduated student and former athlete had died in a car crash on Monday.
Eddie Miles, 17, was killed after the 2001 GMC van he was driving rear-ended a semi-truck on the west 60 Freeway at 9:50 a.m., San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner’s spokeswoman Sandy Fatland said. The van then veered right into a guard rail and toppled down an embankment just west of Grove Avenue in Ontario, Fatland said.
The Ontario Fire Department responded and used the Jaws of Life to reach Miles, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, Fatland said.
Miles, a reserve catcher and pitcher, helped the Saints win a CIF-Southern Section Division IV championship last season. The Saints defeated Torrance 4-2 in the June 6 championship at Angel Stadium. Nearly 400 people gathered in silence Monday night in front of the San Dimas High campus to mourn the death of their friend and fellow athlete.
Thomas Jenson, a former baseball teammate who graduated with Miles, said he was shocked by the news. “He was smart – the perfect kid. He had no enemies, made friends with everyone,” said Jenson. “You can see by how many people showed up that a lot of people loved him and are praying for him tonight.” The somber mourners comforted each other as the tears poured out. Many in the crowd signed messages to Miles and his family on a large card that read “Eddie M. you’ll be missed.”
“He’s one of my best friends and he was taken away too early,” said Kevin Ponzo, a former baseball teammate. “It’s true that the best go first. He’s the only one who can make you laugh when you’re losing 5-0.” San Dimas High School baseball coach Mike Regan spoke with Miles’ former teammates after learning the news during the day. Most responded with shock, Regan said. “They don’t know what to say,” Regan said. “Eddie was just a wonderful kid, a great student, a team guy. Everybody loved Eddie.”
Miles played baseball all four years at San Dimas High and during his time was willing to do anything to help the team, Regan said. “He is one of those kids who is a great team guy and always did whatever we asked him to do,” Regan said. “I am just devastated.”
News of Miles’ death didn’t reach students at San Dimas High until after school let out at noon. Miles also played football, maintained high grades and planned to attend Cal Poly Pomona in the fall, school Principal Michael Kelly said. “He was an excellent student and a wonderful young man,” Kelly said. Additional school counselors and psychologists will be on campus this week to help those dealing with the tragedy, Kelly said. “High school students have a difficult time dealing with these things,” Kelly said. “For many it is their first time dealing with a loss.”
