KNOXVILLE (WATE) – A Hardin Valley Academy student died after a car crash Sunday morning, according to his mother.

Kaleb Fenton, a baseball player, was in critical condition after the crash, according to UT Medical Center.

Fenton recently completed his junior year at Hardin Valley Academy. Classmates said they will remember the way he lit up a room with his smile and charm.

“He was always so sweet and funny,” Sydney Blosser said. “He turned every situation into something to be happy about. It’s hard, especially for the baseball team, they were like brothers.”

Kaleb was a catcher on Hardin Valley’s baseball team, helping his teammates win the 2015 Baseball State Championship. Students said he was expected to start next season.

Above his talent on the field, classmates said Kaleb was known for his sense of humor and positive spirit.

“He was always laughing and smiling,” Kylee Craig said. “He was never sad, so it’s just hard to see someone who enjoyed life so much, pass away so fast and quickly.”

In a Facebook post, Kaleb’s mother, Carie Watson-Fenton, said her son was not in pain when he passed away.

I want to say that I am absolutely overwhelmed and extremely grateful for the outpouring of love me and my family have received by everyone’s kind words and prayers for my Kaleb. I wanted so very badly to keep my beautiful son. Though, I feel that parting with him will tear me apart, I know that he was hurt so badly that all I could do was pray and be thankful that he felt no pain and the suffering was my burden and not his. I am truly touched that my son had so many friends and has touched their lives in some way. And I say “has” instead of “had,” it’s because I hugged dozens upon dozens of 16-18-year-olds tonight that I know received a deep conviction to drive responsibly and carefully and with a respect for how fragile life really is. Please remember this for the love of your families and all who love you. Thank you,” said Watson-Fenton.

The school’s football coach, Wes Jones, confirmed with WATE 6 On Your Side that Fenton was an athlete at the school.