MONROE, N.C. — A memorial now marks the site of a deadly weekend crash in Monroe that killed two men, including Davor Barisic, a local soccer coach who is remembered for the impact he had on young players.
“We have kind of those three words of power in the club, which are courage, commitment and community and he embodies that,” said Jake Roberts, the director of the Porter Ridge Soccer Club.
[ READ MORE: Police identify 2 men killed in Monroe single-vehicle crash ]
Barisic and Nemanja Ljepojević died in a crash early Sunday morning on Old Charlotte Highway near Rogers Road, Monroe Police said. The driver, who hasn’t been named, hit some trees and survived. Speed and alcohol were factors in the crash.
A Charlotte church leader told Channel 9’s Gina Esposito that all three were parishioners at his church and part of the Serbian community.
“I heard the news, and I was just kind of in disbelief at what happened,” Roberts said.
Barisic has two children and stepped up to serve as the assistant coach on his son’s team when the head coach needed help.
Roberts said another coach created a fundraiser for Barisic’s family in hopes that it can bring some healing.
LINK: Support the Barisic family
Roberts said Barisic embodied kindness and empathy on the soccer field, and that’s how he’ll be remembered.
“Coach Davor has an amazing ability to kind of cut through the tension with a knife with humor and bring that level down … that courage to stand up for everybody in those moments, those are things I’ll remember,” Roberts said.
Monroe Police said the driver in the crash remains in the hospital in critical condition. It’s possible he could face charges.