Tragic Loss

Just 20 minutes after Cedarcrest High School let out for the summer vacation, a 16-year-old tragically lost his life in a fatal car accident on Big Rock Road.  Since the boy’s name hasn’t been released yet, I am not going to use his name.  He was Alex’s age and had just completed the 10th grade.  He also was a member of the Carnation Ward, who attended seminary with Alex everyday before school for the past two years.  Alex and her friends are very distraught over it and just keep saying “I just saw him a couple hours ago”.  It’s just awful to believe that a friend of theirs whom they just saw is now gone. 

I cannot imagine the pain and agony that his family is going through right now.  I wish them peace in this tragic time and send my thoughts and prayers their way.  I didn’t personally know him, but from what I have heard it was an amazing kid with lots of friends and an amazing family. 

Cheri Thurgood posted this message on Facebook and I thought it was really beautiful and wanted to share it …

“Death is so tragic for those of us left behind - the one who leaves us is perfectly content, hopefully that can be a small reminder and bring a sense of peace for us who grieve with the loss and shock of losing someone who should have had more time here on earth. My heart goes out to [boy’s name] family & friends!!”

Here is the story from Komo 4 News as of 6:10pm on Friday, June 19, 2009:

DUVALL, Wash. - A 16-year-old boy was killed Friday when he lost control of the car he was driving and skidded into the path of another vehicle near Duvall.

Deputies responded to the fatal crash, in the 29500 block of NE Big Rock Road, at about 11:15 a.m., said King County Sheriff's Office spokesman Sgt. John Urquhart.

The 16-year-old was heading east on the two-lane road in a Honda Civic when he lost control of the vehicle and skidded sideways on wet pavement.

He was hit by a Jeep Cherokee that was heading west. The Jeep was driven by a 20-year-old woman.

The 16-year-old was taken to Harborview by ambulance, and he died shortly after 1 p.m. The woman went to Evergreen Hospital and the extent of her injuries are unknown at this time, but are not considered to be life-threatening.

Urquhart said the roadway was wet at the time of the crash, and speed is thought to be a contributing factor.