Cameron Cook, 18-Year-Old Senior at JSerra Catholic High, Falls to Death From 57 Freeway Overpass

By Simone Wilson Mon., Apr. 4 2011 at 5:14 PM

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R.I.P. Cameron Cook

Updated after the jump: Ashley Bryan, the 24-year-old driver who caused Cook to fall off the overpass, was allegedly drunk at the time. She's now charged with vehicular manslaughter.

Update: JSerra Principal Tom Waszak "mourns this tragic loss."

An Orange County teen who took a fatal fall from a freeway overpass on Saturday night has been identified as 18-year-old Cameron Cook.

Cook, a Ladera Ranch resident, was a former student at JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano, where he played tennis and graduated in June.

The California Highway Patrol reports that Cook was the passenger of a 2001 Chevrolet Camaro that crashed on the 57 North, just south of Katella Avenue, right before midnight. When he and the driver, also 18, exited the vehicle to inspect the damage, another person who had stopped to help advised the driver to turn on his emergency flashers. The Camaro was still jutting slightly into the righthand lane of the 57.

Just as Cook's friend climbed back into the car to follow these directions, the OC Register reports a tragic second leg to the midnight crash:

A few minutes later, a 1993 Honda Civic traveling north on the 57 struck the front left side of the Camaro. The force of the collision caused the Camaro to be pushed to the right, striking Cook and pushing him backward over the overpass railing.

Cook fell 50 to 60 feet onto a cement embankment below the freeway. He was declared dead at the UC Irvine Medical Center at 5 a.m. Sunday morning.

The driver of the Camaro suffered only minor injuries. Meanwhile, the driver of the Honda -- reported as a 24-year-old woman from Highland -- came away with "bruises to her right hand and a gouge to her right leg," CHP officers tell the Register.

Cook's friends took to Twitter yesterday to mourn his early death:

The Tennis Recruiting Network lists Cook as a top-notch tennis player set to graduate in 2011. Update: Weekly commenter shegirl3 says Cook actually graduated last year.

Did you know him, or witness the Saturday-night accident? Please share below.

Update: The following tribute has been posted to the JSerra High website:

The JSerra Catholic High School community is devastated and in mourning today after learning about the passing of scholar-athlete Cameron Cook.
I am sure that I speak for all of Cameron's  teachers and friends at JSerra - this is a great tragedy to befall the  JSerra community. Cameron was a really nice person who displayed the  attributes of a high quality JSerra student. He was a hard working  student who earned good grades and a top player on the tennis team. He  also enjoyed sharing his athletic gifts by teaching young kids how to  play tennis.

The entire JSerra community mourns this tragic loss. Our  hearts go out to Cameron's family.

Tom Waszak
Principal

Update: The Register reports that Ashley Bryan, the Highland Park 24-year-old behind the wheel of the Honda, was arrested yesterday on suspicion of drunk driving.

Bryan is being held at the Orange County Jail for "gross vehicle manslaughter." Her bail's set at $100,000.

The teen driving the Camaro (with Cook as a passenger) was 18-year-old Logan Vescio. The circumstances of his initial accident are still under investigation.

From the Register:

[Cook] graduated from the school last year and was one of the top players on the school's 2010 varsity tennis team. He transferred to JSerra in his junior year from Tesoro High School in Las Flores, where he also played varsity tennis, said Keith Orahood, a JSerra tennis coach. ...
Cook also helped coach youth tennis clinics at the school for children ages 3 and a half to 12.

Weekly commenter Derek Tademy says of Cook: "We played basketball since 6th grade and i miss him already." R Taaffe adds: "Don't think he ever had a bad thing to say to or about anyone, really sweet kid."

Originally posted at 10:30 a.m.

[@simone_electra/swilson@laweekly.com]

Tags:

accident, Cameron Cook, crash, JSerra Catholic High, San Juan Capistrano, the 57

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Landon_gk

Amazing kid, he was the type of guy you would turn to and smile with. No matter how bad of a day you were having he would always bring out the positives. I miss soccer practice with you brother. Remain in Peace big guy

P1cooly10144

Cameron used to help coach us in tennis at the Felipe Tennis Center. He was a great guy, really funny, and really caring for everybody. Though there were times he was kind of mean, most of the time he was great. I remember the time when I accidentally nailed him in the shoulder with a tennis ball. It just seemed like yesterday he was with us. Cameron Cook, you will be very missed. All the troubles in your life are now gone, you are now free. - friends at the Feliple Tennis Center

jme

this story sounds like a ''Homer Simpson'' moment.

Rodney

First, my sympathies go out to the family and friends of Mr. Cameron Cook, reading the article certainly showed that he was a good young man and that he was gone too soon and too tragically. Second, I really feel as if his death could have been avoided, had the female driver had the common sense to not drink and drive. I read in other newsites that she had a blood alcohol content of .17 percent which is almost twice the legal limit. Drunk drivers are a hazard on the road and to the lives of other innocent motorists.

Tennisgirl0392

knew cameron and logan- rest in peace cameron i remember hanging out with you and this is such a devastating tragedy- so many people love you. stay strong logan, everyone is here for you.

matt ritchie

I played tennis with Cameron at Jserra... he was a great friend and always knew how to make you smile

Keith Orahood

Matt,

still numb over the phone call I got from Kirk yesterday. Most of you college freshmen are all out of town, which makes this tougher. We'll have to get together when you all get home...get some closure. How do his parents ever get closure??? Stay safe, let us know when you get home. Put me in your cell: 949.280.2288. Coach Keith

Max Luburic

I've met Cameron a number of times, he always had a smile on and never talked bad on anyone, and seemed never to have a dull moment. Cameron was too good of a person to be taken away with so much opportunity ahead of him. Always a bad feeling in my stomach to say bye to a classmate. RIP Cameron Cook

Parker Abdo

Cameron Cook and I became friends at the beginning of last year. He was a guy I could talk to about anything. He rarely complained about anything and made light of bad situations. He was smart, funny and witty. I mourn the loss of a good friend and pray for the Cook family. RIP Cameron (9/30/1991 - 4/3/2011)