Best friends killed in crash laid to rest side by side
As investigators continue to search for clues in Sunday evening's fiery crash, friends and mentors want to know how a young man who seemed so dedicated to his future successes could be taken away from them.
Adnaan Rahman, 17, of Naperville and his lifelong friend, Nasir Shaik, of Darien were killed Sunday evening when the 2002 silver Porsche they were traveling in apparently sideswiped a Dodge Caravan, spun out, slid into a ditch and then rolled over, catching fire on I-88 near Winfield.
Funeral services were held for both teens on Tuesday, just two weeks before Rahman was scheduled to start his senior year at Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora.
Waubonsie Valley Foreign Language Chairwoman Laura McAran said she developed a bond with Rahman during his freshman year when she was his Spanish teacher.
"I walked into school Monday and ran into a student who happened to be there and told me about Adnaan. I was crushed," McAran said. "He would often use my office to pray when he needed and we'd talk about religions. But what always struck me about him was how close he was with his family and his constant concern for his parents' well-being. You don't always get that sense from teenagers."
Rahman also is being remembered by countless friends for his desire to always do his best, regardless the task at hand.
"He was extremely hardworking, beyond intelligent. He also had a really warm heart, he accepted everyone for who they were and was always there for the people in need," said friend and classmate Urvi Khare. "What my peers saw in him that is so special is that he knew what life was really about, what really was important. He never fell into peer pressure as he stayed true to himself, his religion, his culture, his morals. He was truly one of a kind."
Not only was Rahman "one of a kind," but he also wore the number 1 on his Waubonsee varsity football jersey. When practice opens this week, coach Paul Murphy said he expected Rahman to compete for a starting role at cornerback. Instead, Murphy is now making plans to present Rahman's parents his jersey at senior night later this season.
"There is not a guy on this field that worked harder, trained more or wanted it more this off-season than Adnaan. He is an inspiration to everyone here," Murphy said. "As long as I'm coach here, no one will wear that number 1 jersey unless they possess the character, heart and dedication that Adnaan brought out here every day."
State police, meanwhile, say it could be several more days before investigators piece together details of the fatal crash and determine its cause.
Both teens were laid to rest Tuesday afternoon at Clarendon Hills Cemetery following a prayer service, attended by hundreds, at the Islamic Foundation School at Villa Park.
"They were hardly ever apart so they will be side by side just as they spent their days," said family friend Ibtihaaj Ta'anari. "They will be welcomed in heaven together and the families will gain strength from that."
Waubonsie Valley will offer support services for students and faculty from 8 to 11 a.m. Wednesday in the LMC.
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