‘He loved everybody’: Father remembers teen son killed alongside friend in dirt bike crash

CRAIG, Alaska (KTUU/Gray News) - Two friends died following a dirt bike crash earlier this week.

The father of one of the victims is now speaking out about the tragedy.

Alaska State Troopers confirmed that 18-year-old Greyer Schwegel and 17-year-old Paul Lingley IV were killed Tuesday following a dirt bike collision on Prince of Wales Island.

Greyer Schwegel’s father said the two, who were friends, had a head-on collision while out riding.

“I was there when they pronounced him deceased,” Paul Lingley IV’s father said. “It was tough, really tough. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.”

Paul Lingley IV, the oldest of four, was set to start his senior year at Klawock High School this August. His father, Paul Lingley III, said his son loved playing sports, from basketball to running cross country.

“He just wanted to play basketball,” Paul Lingley III said. “That was his favorite thing to do, basketball. He’d try everything to go play ball every day.”

Off the court, Paul Lingley IV played a vital role in his household. His father said he often stepped up to help take care of his younger siblings, who range in age from 9 to 13.

“I’ve been a single dad for like the last five years and he helped me a lot,” Paul Lingley III said. “He would help me get the kids at school when I was at work, and most of the time, they were on time. He did a lot of the cleaning in the kitchen and that was kind of his job. He helped me a lot.”

Since the crash, community members have taken to social media to express their condolences to the family.

The Craig City School District superintendent said Wednesday that the district is deeply saddened and is working on gathering support services for the community.

The First Presbyterian Church also hosted a grief support group on Thursday evening.

“[The community support] has been great,” Paul Lingley III said. “I love Prince of Wales because of that. Everybody helps with everything, and when someone needs help, we all band together and help.”

Schwegel’s father also spoke out on Wednesday. Cody Schwegel, Greyer Schwegel’s father, remembered his son as a generous, thoughtful and forgiving person. He also added that the two victims were friends.

“Paul always talked about him,” Paul Lingley III said. “They really hung out a lot this summer and towards the end of the school year.”

Cody Schwegel said his son would often help his friends fix things like their vehicles. Paul Lingley III said that Greyer Schwegel did that for his son.

“Paul helped Greyer a lot. They were just really great friends,” Paul Lingley III said.

Paul Lingley III said that he wanted to remind people to be kind and careful on bikes. He added that he hopes people remember his son for who he was.

“He was a good kid, really good kid, hard worker,” Paul Lingley III said. “He loved everybody, loved his friends, loved his family.”