Indian River high schooler dies following after-prom party

WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) – New York State Police are investigating the death of an Indian River student.

On Sunday, May 19 around 3:16 a.m., authorities in Watertown responded to a private residence in the village of Evans Mills for an unconscious male lying in the driveway.

State Police identified the victim as 16-year-old Jordan Drake from Theresa. Drake was pronounced dead after he was transported to Samaritan Medical Center. A preliminary investigation revealed the male attended an after-prom event at a private residence in the town of Theresa earlier in the evening.

Drake was about to complete his junior year at Indian River High School. Superintendent Troy Decker said the district is devastated.

“Jordan and his family are wonderful people, deeply rooted in our school community,” Decker said in an interview. “Jordan was an athlete. He was a good friend. He’s someone that always had a smile on his face and stories continue to pour out of all of the funny, silly, wonderful things he did in school. Outside of school, there is no doubt he holds a very special part, a place in the hearts of Indian River.”

School resumed as normal on May 20, the day after Jordan’s death. However, many crisis and support services will be available throughout Indian River’s eight school buildings until further notice.

This includes two “Care Centers” within Indian River High School, crisis counseling services, grief therapy and dog therapy.

“We do have spaces both inside and outside for students to be together, communicate, or sometimes just be around some friends while they’re dealing with however their emotions are treating them at the moment,” Decker explained.

Indian River has also launched a “blue and white” campaign to honor Jordan Drake.

A State Police investigation is currently ongoing.

This is a developing story. ABC50 will continue to provide updates as more information is made available.

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