A teenager was killed Monday in a rollover crash on Block Island.

Michael Skirvin, 17, was thrown from a Jeep Wrangler that crashed on Block Island. Police said the victim's 20-year-old uncle, Brandon McCrave, is responsible for his death.

Police said McCrave was driving under the influence of alcohol when he lost control of the Jeep.

"(Michael’s) a good, good kid. He was a great kid. He lived with me for a year. He was a stand-up kid,” said Stephen McCrave, the driver’s father and victim’s grandfather. "Him and his uncle were like brothers. They were only about two years apart. So he was a great kid, and for this to happen is just a horrible, horrific tragedy."

Police on Block Island said McCrave was drunk and driving with a suspended license as he and three others were headed south on Lakeside Drive. Police say they were speeding as they rounded the sharp curve onto Mohegan Trail. McCrave's Jeep rolled over, ejecting his nephew. Though the two other passengers survived, police said Skirvin died from his injuries at the scene.

The driver's father defended his son.



"It doesn't make him a bad person, it just means that, he made mistakes in his life. And he learned from them,” said Stephen McCrave.

According to court records obtained by NBC 10 News, this wasn't driver's first offense. His license was suspended in June after he was convicted for driving under the influence.

"They were being kids. Kids are kids. They're saying (Brandon McCrave) did this, that, and the other thing. But, they're not. Hopefully, they'll give him some type of counseling in prison, because he needs to talk to somebody,” said Stephen McCrave.

NBC 10 News found a post on Brandon McCrave's Facebook account that said the 20-year-old getting reading for that tragic Block Island drive and calling it "#daydrunk."

Police are charging him with driving under the influence.

"He's going to have to exonerate himself. And he's going to have to deal with the fact that his nephew is dead,” said Stephen McCrave. "I don't know what's going to happen, but I'll be here for the both of them."

The driver’s family mourning more than one loss.