WAYNE COUNTY, N.Y. — The lives of two young brothers killed in a car crash were remembered by a standing-room-only crowd of family, friends and loved ones inside Marion Elementary School Saturday.

“They were not only brothers, but they were best friends,” says Mark Conover, uncle of Taylor Christie, 20, and his 16-year-old brother Evan Woodward. “It’s really not surprising how many people have come out to show their support, and it’s from the Taylor family, the Christie family, the Woodward family — everybody cannot express it in words how grateful they are to everybody who has come out to support them.”

The brothers died when Christie lost control of the vehicle he was driving on Ridge Chapel Road and struck a tree Monday. Christie was driving his brother home from basketball practice at Marion High School.

Hundreds of people gathered to show their support for the family.

“It’s a loving environment. There is a lot of people inside that are just there to see the family. There are obviously tears inside too, it’s very difficult,” says Jay Bonafede, a family friend. 

“You can see from some of the pictures, from some of the number of kids that are here the impact that Taylor and Evan themselves had in the community,” says Bonafede.

Loved ones have started a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses and to give their mother, Stephanie Christie, additional support.

“We’ll support not only Stephanie, but the Taylors and the Christies and the Woodwards throughout this ordeal,” added Bonafede.