Teen who died following crash was a ‘happy and positive’ young man who loved his family

BLACKFOOT — A Blackfoot teenager who died in a crash over the weekend is being remembered for his contagious smile and the love he showed his family and those around him.

Jesus Ortiz, 17, was a passenger in a pickup truck when the driver allegedly ran a stop sign and hit another pickup truck on State Highway 39, ejecting Ortiz and the person driving him.

Ortiz, also called Jr. by his loved ones, was born in Pocatello and raised in Blackfoot where he was attending Blackfoot High School. He was the youngest of five children and loved his family and being around them, family members told EastIdahoNews.com.

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Jr. died on the same day as his sister’s wedding. His family remembers Jr. being “happy all day” during the festivities and having a big smile on his face that showed off his one dimple.

“His smile … was always followed by a good laugh,” a family member said. “(We’ll remember) his sense of humor and the way he’d sit around and bull**** with you, his big comforting hugs that were as if a bear put their arms around you and we’re going to miss his dancing.”

Jr. enjoyed being outdoors, swimming, fishing, shooting, riding four-wheelers and “being with the boys.” His family said he was a “happy and positive” person, and they are proud of what he accomplished during his life.

“He got his first vehicle that he adored. He was a hard worker at any job he had, and he was set to graduate with his class of 2024,” Jr.’s family mentioned. “He was so young and had plenty of life ahead of him but he did accomplish anything that he set his mind to.”

The family wants to thank the Blackfoot community for their support over the past few days as well as the Jones, a family who stopped immediately after the crash and prayed for Jr.

“We want everyone around to remember our brother for the good person he was and to cherish the memories they have of him and to keep living for him,” his family stated. “Cherish your family because you don’t know when (it’ll) be the last time you’ll be together.”

With the unexpected passing of Jr., the family is asking for donations to help cover his funeral. If you wish to help, call Hawker Funeral Home at (208) 785-1320. A Venmo and Cash App account have also been set up to raise money for other financial costs such as to paying off Jr.’s car and a cemetery headstone.

Jr.’s viewing will be Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and the funeral will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. with a viewing before the funeral from 9 to 10 a.m.