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Surrey teen killed in Cloverdale crash remembered as amazing athlete and student

Travis Selje, 17, died after a crash Wednesday night near the intersection of 176th Street and 64th Avenue

A 17-year-old boy who died after a car crash in Cloverdale is being remembered as an amazing athlete and star student.

Travis Selje died after a crash Wednesday night near the intersection of 176th Street and 64th Avenue.

On Friday night, a steady stream of teens left flowers and visited the site of the crash in Cloverdale.

Police say a 22-year-old woman driving a black Cadillac struck the Honda Prelude Travis was driving after fleeing from the scene of a crash, shortly before, near 64th Avenue and 168th Street.

Emergency responders had to remove the roof of a vehicle and use the Jaws of Life of the Honda Prelude Travis was driving.

Two other teens, a boy and a girl, were injured in the crash but injuries aren’t believed to be life threatening.

Police are “looking strongly” at impaired driving and speeding as being factors.

Travis, who went to Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary is being remembered as an amazing athlete, both on the baseball diamond and on the soccer pitch.

He played baseball with Cloverdale Minor Baseball Association and as he got older, Travis focused solely on soccer.

Travis played for the hometown soccer squad Surrey United from 2005 to 2012, winning three league championships in 2009, 2011 and 2012.

He joined the Whitecaps FC Residency program from 2012 to 2016, moving through Pre-Residency and up to the U-16 squad last year.

He rejoined Surrey United this past year.

His bio on whitecapsfc.com said he was a “versatile player” and that he dreamt of one day playing soccer in the Mercedez-Benz Arena, the home field of his favourite team.

“When he is away from the pitch, Selje enjoys hanging out with his friends and keeping active. His favourite food dish is Penne Alfredo,” according to his bio.

“Travis was a much loved former Residency player, teammate, and friend of many at the club and throughout the BC soccer community,” said a Whitecaps statement. “Travis will forever be a part of the Whitecaps FC family. The club wishes to offer condolences to the Selje family and friends at this difficult time.”

  • Read his full bio here.

Surrey School District spokesman Doug Strachan said counselling supports for both students and staff will be available at Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary.

“These thing definitely impact the school community,” said Strachan. “Unfortunately, with a district our size, through the course of the school years these accidents can happen.”

Last October, another Surrey teen lost his life in a tragic accident.

Shakir Salaam died after a tree fell on him at Clayton Heights Secondary School during a windstorm.

The same intersection has seen other serious collisions over the years.

In November 2010 a front passenger died instantly after a vehicle driving eastbound on 64th crashed into a hydro pole at the corner of 176th Street.

amy.reid@thenownewspaper.com

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