A community is grappling with the tragic loss of a 15-year-old basketball star in a Uniondale car crash.

Police say a crash at the intersection of Maple Avenue and Front Street Wednesday took the life of Jomani "Jo-Jo" Wright. They say the crash involved an 87-year-old driver and another car with four teens in it.

Police say the crash sent the teens' car flying into a telephone pole. Wright was in the rear passenger seat and died at a hospital, according to authorities.

The others in the car were injured but are expected to be OK.

News 12 is told Wright was on his way to a gym to prepare for his upcoming season at Uniondale High School. He was a point guard for the team and was the top public school player in Nassau County.

In pictures of the crash, a basketball is seen in the back seat.

"Good kid, great student, great athlete, loved the game of basketball, can't believe it ended this way, not like this," says Joe Wright, his father. "It hurts, it hurts so bad."

Friends came to the site of the crash to pay their respects, laying flowers and candles in Wright's honor.

"That was my brother. I've known him since middle school, it's really sad," says Marlon Belicare, a friend of Wright's. "He's gone, just like a flash. Only 15, I don't understand."

No criminal charges have been filed at this time. Police say they are still investigating the crash.