Newport paddle-out honors teen crash victim

Dozens of people, including family and friends, took to the sea near the Newport Pier on Wednesday evening for a paddle-out in memory of Spencer Becker, 17, a Newport Coast resident who died after a high-speed crash in Newport Beach the day before.

Earlier Wednesday, mourners went to the intersection of Jamboree Road and Bristol Street, where the crash occurred at about 10:20 a.m. Tuesday. A roadside memorial of flowers, candles and messages written in ink and chalk paid tribute to Spencer, who had just finished his junior year at Mater Dei High School, a Catholic campus in Santa Ana.

Spencer died at a hospital after he was ejected from the Chevrolet Suburban he was driving when it collided with a Toyota sedan, police said.

Mourners described him as an adventurous type who played varsity volleyball at Mater Dei, had learned to fly small planes, and loved the beach and making people laugh.

Wednesday’s paddle-out had been preceded by a candlelight ceremony at a Newport Beach home and a prayer gathering at Mariners Church in Irvine.

At 6 p.m. Thursday, Mater Dei will host a public Mass in Spencer’s honor. It will be held in the Grotto on campus at 1202 W. Edinger Ave., Santa Ana, according to a post on the school’s Facebook page.