Victory Day Founder to Honor Teen Who Drowned in Northern Michigan

Miles Percy Smith of Wyandotte loved Victory Day.

A student at Jo Brighton Skills Center in Wyandotte, 16-year-old Smith attended Victory Day 2012 at Trenton High School.

"I did tackling, kicking and touchdowns," Smith told Patch in November 2012.

Smith won't get another chance to score anymore touchdowns, kick anymore footballs or takle anyone else. He died as a result of an accidental drowning, while on vacation with his family Sunday in Traverse City.

Victory Day Founder Aaron Segedi plans to honor Smith's life by scheduling a moment of silence during Victory Day 2013 on Sept. 14 at Trenton High School.

"I'm saddened by this," Segedi said.

The Grand Traverse County Medical Examiner said Smith died of a "dry drowning," or a drowning that occurs when cold water affects the throat making it impossible to breathe.

Victory Day is an event set up for cognitively and physically impaired children to have an opportunity to play football or cheer and have their moment in the sun, according to Segedi.