Family remembering their son, recent high school graduate, who died in fishing accident

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU/Gray News) - A family is remembering their son who died this week while fishing in Alaska.

Jacob Wasielewski was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing from a very young age.

The 18-year-old’s father, Joe Wasielewski, said he first took his son to the lake as a baby.

“From the time he was born, his mom and I took him to Red Shirt Lake. He was just a baby during our first time out,” Joe Wasielewski said. “He just loved doing that type of stuff. Loved fishing with his grandfather on the Kenai River.”

Jacob Wasielewski recently graduated from King Tech High School and was set to pursue an electrician apprenticeship.

However, his life came to an end on Monday while out on the lake he had been going to since he was a child.

According to Alaska State Troopers, Jacob Wasielewski was spotted floating in the Kenai River near Bing’s Landing just after noon on Monday.

The troopers reported the 18-year-old was fishing on the opposite side of the river when he fell in and was taken down by a strong current.

A boat operator was able to pull Jacob Wasielewski’s body out of the river. He was given CPR and was taken to an Anchorage medical facility, but he succumbed to his injuries.

Robert Morgan had been one of Jacob Wasielewski’s best friends since elementary school.

“He always just liked to have fun,” he said. “He was always happy, always trying to make everyone laugh. He was the funniest person. He was so caring.”

Morgan shared stories of Jacob Wasielewski, saying that their friendship extended beyond the classroom. The two worked their first jobs together and spent almost every night at each other’s homes.

“The two most important things to Jacob were his family and his friends,” Morgan said. “He was always there for you; he was always someone you can depend on.”

Austin McDaniel, communications director for the Alaska Department of Public Safety, said Jacob Wasielewski was not wearing a lifejacket or personal floatation device that day.

McDaniel said no one witnessed what happened, but it was also not the first water fatality the community has seen this season.

“There’s been a number of fatalities that have happened, with a handful just this weekend across the state,” McDaniel said.

McDaniel reminded residents that river water is “very dangerous,” and that it’s important to be cautious when on the water.

“One of the things that you can do to really improve your chances of surviving an accident or malfunction with your equipment is, again, wear a lifejacket,” McDaniel said.

McDaniel also encouraged people to not fish alone, and if one does, alert others to how long you will be gone and when to expect your return, just in case law enforcement needs to check on you.

The Wasielewski family says they appreciate the outpouring of love from friends and community they have received since their son’s death. They reminded everyone to hug their loved ones and be safe when enjoying the outdoors in Alaska.

“He was my best friend. He meant everything to me,” Joe Wasielewski said. “I just love him.”

The Alaska Department of Public Safety is working with the state medical examiner to determine Jacob Wasielewski’s cause of death.

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