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ONEIDA, Illinois -
The long holiday weekend turned deadly for a rural Knox County community. That's after a one car accident Monday afternoon that killed a 16-year-old student and injured his passenger.
Rather than celebrating the last week of classes, clergy and counselors are helping students at ROWVA High School to deal with grief. That's after sophomore Alex Roberts was killed in the crash.
"I hope the students recognize he touched so many lives when he was here," said Superintendent Lloyd Little. "He was a nice young man and a model for them to follow."
Flowers mark the spot less than 24 hours after the accident. It's west of Altona on 1334 Knox Highway 4. Investigators say that Roberts and Monika Mahnesmith, 16, were on their way to a family get-together. That's when the car somehow went off the road and overturned in Walnut Creek.
"The road conditions were not ideal, but they were not as bad as we've had here in our area," LIttle said. "Just like that, once an accident happens, you can't take it back."
Mahnesmith remains hospitalized in Peoria and is expected to recover from her injuries. Authorities do not believe that she was wearing a seatbelt. They haven't determined if Roberts had buckled up. At this time, investigators do not believe that alcohol was involved in the crash.
While Roberts had perfect attendance this year at ROWVA High, he was also a familiar presence on the football field. He was a good student and friend.
The silent field on Tuesday seems to set the stage for sorrow. Just a day after his older brother, Aaron, graduated with 50 other ROWVA seniors. With the setting still in place inside the gym, it's tragic for all of the Tigers. It's sadness and memories shared by an entire community.
"His easygoing demeanor and the positive attitude that he brought to the school," Principal Joe Peters recalled.
A school that's forced to learn a painful lesson about grief. The ROWVA community plans to hold a candlelight vigil Wednesday evening in Altona's park.
Rather than celebrating the last week of classes, clergy and counselors are helping students at ROWVA High School to deal with grief. That's after sophomore Alex Roberts was killed in the crash.
"I hope the students recognize he touched so many lives when he was here," said Superintendent Lloyd Little. "He was a nice young man and a model for them to follow."
Flowers mark the spot less than 24 hours after the accident. It's west of Altona on 1334 Knox Highway 4. Investigators say that Roberts and Monika Mahnesmith, 16, were on their way to a family get-together. That's when the car somehow went off the road and overturned in Walnut Creek.
"The road conditions were not ideal, but they were not as bad as we've had here in our area," LIttle said. "Just like that, once an accident happens, you can't take it back."
Mahnesmith remains hospitalized in Peoria and is expected to recover from her injuries. Authorities do not believe that she was wearing a seatbelt. They haven't determined if Roberts had buckled up. At this time, investigators do not believe that alcohol was involved in the crash.
While Roberts had perfect attendance this year at ROWVA High, he was also a familiar presence on the football field. He was a good student and friend.
The silent field on Tuesday seems to set the stage for sorrow. Just a day after his older brother, Aaron, graduated with 50 other ROWVA seniors. With the setting still in place inside the gym, it's tragic for all of the Tigers. It's sadness and memories shared by an entire community.
"His easygoing demeanor and the positive attitude that he brought to the school," Principal Joe Peters recalled.
A school that's forced to learn a painful lesson about grief. The ROWVA community plans to hold a candlelight vigil Wednesday evening in Altona's park.
