PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. -- A Charles W. Flanagan High School student died in a car crash Friday morning, just days before he was set to graduate high school.

Students said 18-year-old Ryan Smith had a promising future. He was a class leader, a baseball player and someone everyone wanted to be around, they said.

"He was one of those big bears you could talk to. He was just a great person," classmate Brenda Egoavil told Local 10.

Smith's life ended Friday morning. He was traveling with a friend to pick up their graduation caps and gowns when, police said, their car hit a tree in the 100 block of Northwest 136th Avenue.

Both teenagers were rushed to a hospital. Smith was pronounced dead, and his friend suffered minor injuries.

Police said speed was a factor in the crash, but they did not say which teen was the driver.

Grief counselors were at the high school Friday to help students and teachers deal with the loss.