CRESTVIEW - Friends and family are mourning the loss of a Crestview High school football player killed in a traffic accident.

They're taking Mitch's loss one day at a time.

Mitch Kertis was a 17 year-old senior at Crestview High.

He played football four years for the Bulldogs.

Head football coach Matt Brunson said Kertis was a key member of the team's defensive line.

He was driving his Ford Expedition south on Highway 85 when he ran the red light at State Road 123.

The SUV then veered into a grass median where it flipped several times.

Mitch's death has been extremely difficult for Crestview high students.

Coach Brunson says he'll remember Mitch for being an important leader that others looked to.

"Mitch was our three technique on the defensive line. He did a great job. He was a hard worker. Played the game with a lot of emotion and was an emotional leader among our guys on the defensive side of the ball," said Matt Brunson.

An accident report says that Mitch Kertis was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Coach Brunson said Kertis was ready to graduate and was looking forward to life after high school.

He also said he'd like to tell Mitch's parents they should be very proud of their son and that his memory will live on.Coach Plays Tribute to Crestview Athlete