Beloved Englewood homecoming king, son killed in crash

A homecoming king from Englewood was killed in a traffic crash after spending Thanksgiving with his family.

Spencer Stephens, 18, was headed to Tampa from Southwest Florida when he was hit by a car.

Now, sister Juliannah Stephens is devastated and missing her brother. “Spencer was just the brightest light in any room. He made sure everybody knew just how loved they were. He was just himself.”

Spencer was a fierce fashionista, passionate performer, Lemon Bay High School homecoming king, and beloved student.

“He just loved that spotlight,” Juliannah said. “It belonged to him anytime it was present it was his.”

But above all, they say he was a loving and caring friend to all.

His mother Dawn said, “He never ever ended a conversation with anybody without saying ‘love you bye’. Every single person, ‘I love you bye.'”

Sunday night Spencer was driving back to Tampa after spending Thanksgiving with his family.

His mother noticed it was taking him a little too long to get back to his college apartment.

“It was instant panic because I know my son, we stay in touch.” She noticed his phone location wasn’t moving.

Everyone got in their cars to get to the scene, and she called it the longest drive of her life.

“We were there, we were holding his hand, and they tried everything they could but we just lost him,” Dawn said.

Although he has passed, his bright smile and contagious laughter stay with everyone.

But he will continue to bring that little bit of light and sparkle. His mother said, “I think I’m going to have to wear a piece of sparkle every day of my life so that I can honor him and just have a piece of him with me.”

And wanting everyone to live as loud, proud, and confident as he has.