Luke Salem, 23, a Cabrillo College football player, died in a head-on collision with another vehicle on Freedom Boulevard on Saturday, Aug. 17.
The cause remains under investigation.
Luke Salem
Salem was a defensive back for the Harbor High School Pirate in 2019.
Last season, as a sophomore, he was on the Seahawks roster as a 6-1 wide receiver.
Cabrillo College Football posted on W, formerly Twitter: “It is with heavy hearts we say goodbye to one of our Hawk family members.”
“Luke’s love, compassion, and support for his teammates are already missed. His smile & kind soul will never be forgotten,” it read.
Assistant coach Anthony Romero added, “Still feels unreal … Love you and miss you Luke.”
Salem was driving a white 1966 Chrysler Newport, westbound on Freedom Boulevard east of McDonald Road.
He collided with an oncoming 49-year-old man in a red 2017 Honda CRV, who was headed eastbound on Freedom Boulevard.
The 49-year-old man in the Honda had minor injuries treated at a local hospital but Salem’s injuries were severe, and he died at the scene, despite life-saving efforts.
He loved his family, pets, playing football at Cabrillo, gardening, surfing, fishing, God, snowboarding, baseball, cooking, playing alto saxophone, his classic car, and building light sabers. He walked around with his heart on his sleeve, showing love to every person and animal around him.
He was honored by the team at their first home game on Saturday, Sept. 7.
Luke is survived by his mother Mellisa, father Tommy, sister Jordan and brothers Noah and Chad.
More than 250 people donated in his memory to www.gofundme.com/f/LukeSalem