After the tragic accident at the Ohio State Fair in Columbus that claimed the life of 18-year-old Tyler Jarrell, new details reveal that Jarrell had recently enlisted in the marines.
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The Marines confirmed that Jarell was scheduled to enter basic training next year at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot on Parris Island, South Carolina, from a story by People.
In a statement, the Marine Corps said, “Our heartfelt condolences go out to Poolee Tyler Jarrell’s family and all of those affected by his loss. The Marines here are greatly saddened by this tragedy. We are truly proud to have known him as one of the brave few willing to step up and serve his country in the United States Marine Corps.”
Jarrel would have been entering his senior year of high school at Franklin Heights High School this fall, but was killed when a ride called the “Fire Ball” malfunctioned and threw passengers flying into the air.
His NJROTC instructor at his school, retired U.S. Navy Captain Gerard Lennon, spoke about the teen and said, “When he put his mind to doing something, he was really well focused. It’s just an absolute, absolute tragedy. He was a delightful and pleasant young man who was trying to figure out what he was going to do. He figured it out, and now he’s gone.”
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Additionally, Jarrell’s friend Dillon Evans opened up about him.
“He was a very selfless person, he would always put others first. He loved to serve his community, so he wanted to serve his country. He was always doing things for people. He was ready to serve his country in all ways possible,” Evans said.
Another friend of Jarell’s, Emily Ogden, spoke about him.
“He was a hard worker, very interested in the police force and the military. He was sarcastic, fun loving and meme loving in the best possible way. I can’t believe that he is gone, the world just got a little darker,” Ogden said.
Emergency responder officials have also named six of the other people injured in the accident as Tamika Dunlap, 36, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio; Russell Franks, 42, of Columbus, Ohio; Keziah Lewis, 19, of Columbus, Ohio; Jacob Andrews, 22, of Pataskala, Ohio; Jennifer Lambert, 18, of Columbus, Ohio; and Abdihakim Hussein, 19, of Columbus, Ohio.
There was also a 14-year-old male who was injured, but his name has been withheld at the request of his family.
