Matthew Mikaelsson loved life. The 18-year-old Live Oak High
School senior was a talented swimmer and musician and enjoyed
helping other people, his family said.
Morgan Hill
Matthew Mikaelsson loved life. The 18-year-old Live Oak High School senior was a talented swimmer and musician and enjoyed helping other people, his family said.
But that life was cut short Thursday when Mikaelsson crashed his Mitsubishi Eclipse into a tree on Condit Road.
The accident occurred about 12:15 p.m., according to Morgan Hill Police Sgt. Jerry Neumayer. He was flown to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center following the accident, and died about 1:50 p.m.
A 17-year-old passenger, also a Live Oak student, was carried by ambulance to VMC. Police have not released the passenger’s name, but said he is in stable condition.
A couple of Mikaelsson’s friends from Live Oak were at the crash site Friday afternoon, where a makeshift memorial had been set up with flowers and candles.
Alyssa Hamlin, 17, said Mikaelsson was a good friend, always meeting her and Wendy Kantyuk, 17, at their lockers after fourth period.
“He was the most laid back person ever,” she said. Hamlin fought back tears as she described the teen as a funny person with a goofy laugh. Hamlin said Mikaelsson was always there when she needed a friend to talk to. She found out about the accident via a text message from a friend yesterday.
“When I first found out, it was like a lightning bolt to my heart,” she said. “I cried all day yesterday. It’s going to be hard going back to school” after winter break.
At the Mikaelssons’ home in east Morgan Hill Friday, Matthew’s parents and aunt, who call him “Matt,” described a loving and talented young man whose absence they have not yet fully absorbed.
“It feels like he’s coming home soon,” said his father, Jan Mikaelsson, through tears.
Patti Mikaelsson, Matt’s mother, said her son was a “very special” person. She said he had a strong passion both for swimming and for giving swimming lessons. He loved people and enjoyed spending time with his family. He was always eager to help his parents, grandparents and two sisters, ages 15 and 20, whom he “fiercely looked out for.” His aunt, Pam Gordon, said he was a “beautiful” musician who played the saxophone and the piano, but most people didn’t know because he was humble.
“He had about the biggest heart, and he always just wanted people to be friendly to each other,” said Matthew’s mother. “I was very blessed to have a son like that.”
His father added, “We are very proud of him.”
Matt just received his driver’s license about three weeks ago. His parents recalled when he was filling out the paperwork for his license and checked the box indicating he wanted to donate his organs in the event of his death, he said, “Of course I would want to do that.” Now he is, his parents said.
Mikaelsson, a senior, was a solid contributor to Live Oak’s swimming team, which went undefeated in league dual meets last season. He swam three years for the team, and was instrumental in helping the 200-yard medley and 400-yard freestyle relays qualify for the CIF-Central Coast Section meet a year ago. He also swam the 200-yard individual medley.
His coach, Mack Haines, has fond memories of the swimmer.
“I think Matt was a gifted swimmer and I think Matt’s future was bright,” Haines said. “It’s tragic when a person like Matt has his life cut short.”
He added that Mikaelsson “definitely helped” in the team’s performance last season.
And his contribution to the team went beyond swimming.
“Matt would walk out onto the pool deck, smile, and everyone would light up,” Haines said. “Everyone cheered for him, and he cheered for them. I don’t think I ever heard one negative thing come out of his mouth.”
The accident happened in front of Alpine RV, at 16725 Condit Road. Neumayer said the car was traveling south when Mikaelsson apparently lost control around a curve in front of the Carl’s Jr. restaurant. The car skidded sideways until it went off the road and crashed into a tree on the driver’s side. It came to rest directly in front of the RV lot.
Witnesses reported the car was driving “erratically” and at high speed prior to the accident, police said.
Mikaelsson’s parents said funeral arrangements have not been set.
Sports Editor Scott J. Adams and education reporter Natalie Everett contributed to this report.
