Adam Spencer was an integral part of the "praise and worship" team at his high school -- Christian Heritage Academy in Rocky Mount.

Now school officials are singing the praises of Spencer, a model student and athlete who was killed early Saturday morning as the result of a freak accident on a gravel road leading to his home in Franklin County.

According to Christian Heritage athletic director and boys' soccer coach Pete Trout, Spencer had returned from a school-related soccer tournament in Dayton, Tenn., after midnight Friday and had driven his girlfriend, Amy Covey, to her home just a quarter-mile away. On the short drive back to his house, Spencer's Subaru experienced a transmission problem and got stuck on Marks Path Road.

Spencer asked his father, Darrell, for help and the two attempted to move the car. The vehicle began rolling backward and Adam Spencer became trapped under the car and was crushed by the impact, Trout said.

Fatal wrecks involving teenage drivers have been frequent in Southwest Virginia, and Trout said another Christian Heritage athlete -- Garrison Brown -- is recovering from a broken neck suffered as a passenger in a recent crash. The Christian Heritage athletic department is struggling to come to grips with such a rare mishap that claimed the 18-year-old Spencer's life.

"It was just a freak accident," Trout said. "It was just after 1:30 Saturday morning. He had ridden back with his parents and his girlfriend. He took Amy home and on the way back his car -- he drove a straight transmission -- got stuck in gear somehow.

"He walked up the hill and got his dad to help. They were trying to roll the car when it popped back out of gear. Adam jumped in behind it and tried to stop it. It was rolling backward and Adam lost his footing and got his foot stuck in a fence. The car rolled right over him. I don't think he suffered."

Spencer's funeral was Monday at Twin Oaks Baptist Church in Henry. Officiating was Pastor Terry Covey, the father of Spencer's girlfriend.

More healing in memory of Spencer at Christian Heritage -- which has about 150 students in kindergarten through 12th grade -- will take place today. Covey will conduct a campus memorial service for the popular soccer and basketball standout at 8:30 a.m. in the school's gymnasium.

"He was the best kid in the school," Christian Heritage basketball coach Buddy Mason said.

The school was closed Monday because of Spencer's funeral, and classes were not in session Tuesday because of a teacher workday. Trout said many students assembled at the school Saturday morning after news of the tragic accident spread.

"We must have had 100 to 125 people here," Trout said. "We just talked and tried to express to the kids what happened. This is the first time I've lost a kid. This is a first for the school."

Spencer, a senior, came from a family with a long association with Christian Heritage. His mother, Cindy, is the office manager under headmaster Charlotte Hamilton at the school. Two older brothers, Jared and Dustin, are Christian Heritage graduates. A younger sister, Sarah, is a three-sport standout for the Eagles.

"His mother has been here at the school since the start," Trout said. "His oldest brother, Jared, is a pharmacist now. Dustin is playing soccer at Bluefield College."

Trout said Spencer had definite career goals that included college.

"He worked with the youth at his church," Trout said. "That was one of the things he expressed to me. He was going to take some [community college] classes at Virginia Western or Patrick Henry. He wanted to get into youth ministry."

Trout will recall last weekend's trip to the National Association of Christian Athletes soccer tournament with fondness.

"It was just amazing how Adam and his family got to spend this weekend together," Trout said. "It was amazing how everybody bonded together. We got it all on tape.

"You always try to see the hand of God in something like this. You think about the effect of someone's life. Just a few weeks ago, he told Mrs. Hamilton he wanted to make a difference in the school and he did. I think it will be felt for years to come."