Friends and family of 17-year-old Brandon Thomas gathered at a park in Cochrane, Alta., to remember the aspiring auto mechanic who died last week in a crash on Highway 22 south of town.

The candlelight vigil was also held to generate support for Thomas' family. A trust fund has been set up and donations can be made at any ATB branch under Brandon Thomas or Thomas family.

"I have never lived in a community like Cochrane," said Kim Thomas, Brandon's mother. "There is no comparison. All of these people are here for support and we couldn't get through this time without everybody that's here."

• To watch CBC reporter Dave Gilson's story on the candlelight vigil play the video above.

RCMP say last Thursday a truck driving south in the northbound lane of Highway 22, about three kilometres south of Cochrane, sideswiped two oncoming vehicles before hitting Thomas' Subaru head-on.

One of the other vehicles rolled several times, sending a female passenger to hospital.

Ryan Jordan Gibson, 22, faces numerous charges, including impaired driving causing death.

Gibson will make his first court appearance on Dec.18.