Members of the MET 2 theater group are mourning the death of one of their own: 21-year-old Harold Wise IV.
“I started screaming, ‘no no no no no,’ and then I broke down into hysterical tears,” acting coach Alison Bretches said, describing the moment she heard the news.
Wise died in a crash Saturday night on Lake Jennings Park Road in Lakeside. His car crossed the center line and struck a Jeep head-on.
Wise was pronounced dead at the scene. A father and his 9-year-old daughter in the Jeep were taken to the hospital with major injuries, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Witnesses estimate Wise was going between 80 and 100 miles per hour in a 55 zone, according to the CHP.
Meanwhile, friends and family are remembering the aspiring theater teacher. Last month, Wise played Captain Hook in the stage production of “Peter Pan” at the Poway Performing Arts Center.
“Harold was one of those guys who could change the mood in the room,” friend and former boss Howard Solomon said. “He cracked a joke when a joke needed to be cracked when it got too stressful or tense in the theater.”
Last year, Wise took a staff position with MET 2 as a director’s assistant.
“Kids looked up to him, and he always made people feel special,” Bretches recalled. “He would tell the kids ‘you were awesome’ and give them a high five.”
Bretches said Wise was just starting to get his life together after suffering a brain injury in a fight two years ago. She said he was in the hospital for three months and in rehab the past two years.
“It’s been a long two years,” she said. “He took it like a champion with the support of his family and theater family.”
Wise was set to play Harold Hill in “The Music Man” next, which was his dream role, according to Bretches.
CHP Officer Kevin Pearlstein said the cause of the crash is currently listed as unsafe speed. Toxicology reports will reveal whether or not drugs or alcohol were factors. Wise was wearing a Countryfest concert wristband when he died, according to Pearlstein.