Stew-Stras community draws together to remember teens taken too soon

SHELBY COUNTY, Ill. (WAND) — A vigil was hosted at Stew-Stras high School following the UTV crash that caused the deaths of three incoming freshmen. Community members rallied Thursday afternoon to mourn the loss of 13-year-old Karly Wetherell and 14-year-olds Edie Wittenberg and Sienna Bostedo.

Superintendent Justin Deters said the girls, who were incoming freshmen, were very involved in the district. He said the loss of the three girls is taking a toll on the district as a whole. "In a school – a lot of people don't realize – a student may spend more time with their teacher in their waking hours than they even do with their family ... These students of ours are like our kids, and we're doing everything we can to support them."

Illinois State Police were called to 1200 N 3150E around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday after they said a UTV with three 14-year-old girls inside ran into a grain hauler truck. Karly and Edie died shortly after the crash, while Sienna died at an Indianapolis hospital.

With the new school year just a month away, the loss is sure to continue to wrack the community. "You like to think that the first day of school is a long time from now," said Deters, "but I know it's going to hit just as hard when you're looking down the hall and you're looking for students who are just aren't there."