Friends transformed the site of the two-car crash at Bridle and Nolte roads into the type of makeshift memorial that has come to mark the scene of similar tragedies. A simple wooden cross and a poster board adorned with photos and scrawled with personal messages conveyed their grief.

Cote said Ware — who graduated this year from Billerica Memorial High School — was less interested in extracurricular activities and athletics than he was in just hanging around with his buddies and working on his new set of wheels.

Cote said he doesn’t know why Ware was driving his uncle’s late model Ford Explorer in a crash police said was likely caused by a deadly mix of drag-racing, extreme speed and alcohol.

Police Lt. Commander Jack Glavin said the crash occurred around 5:37 a.m. July 27. Glavin said Ware and his friend, who was driving a Honda Civic, began drag-racing at the intersection of Bridle and Nolte roads.

Glavin said the two cars may have reached speeds as high as of 60 to 70 miles per hour before Ware’s car lost control and rolled over several times. Glavin said Ware was ejected from the car and likely struck by it as it continued rolling.

Ware was not wearing his seatbelt, according to Glavin. The other driver, who wore a seatbelt, spun his car and hit a pole, Glavin said.

Glavin declined to name the other driver, whom he said escaped the crash with minor injuries and is being treated at an area hospital. Glavin said although the crash is still under investigation, charges could filed soon against the surviving driver. Neither car had passengers, police said.

“His car struck the utility pole backwards, which we feel was probably why he escaped with minor injuries,” Glavin said. “That and the fact that he was wearing a seatbelt.”