UPDATE: Teens Pulled from Wilmington Creek Identified
Four teen-agers were killed when their car went off the road and turned upside down in a creek on Monday night in Wilmington.
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Four teen-agers were killed in a one-car accident Monday night on Ballou Road, about one-quarter mile west of Warner Bridge Road, in Wilmington, Will County Sheriff's spokesman Steve Caruso said.
The teens ranged in age from 14-17. A witness at the scene said the car turned upside down and landed in a creek.
"It happened Monday night—the teens had not been accounted for," Caruso said. "At about 7:20, a passerby noticed the guard rail was crashed through and called 9-1-1."
"There is water on the roadway that has receded even since last night that could have been a factor," Will County Sheriff's Deputy Ken Kaupas stated in a Sun-Times News Group report.
The four victims—pulled from the car in Forked Creek—were identified as two boys and two girls, according to an ABC report: Micalah Sembach, 15; Cheyenne Fender, 17; Matthew Bailey, 14; and Cody Carter, 15.
Three of the four attended Wilmington High School. The fourth victim was a former student at the school, according to the ABC report.
anonymous
11:12 am on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
This is sad and a tragedy-but would not wearing a seatbelt have allowed them to escape more easily in an underwater car?
Richard Chapman
9:50 am on Saturday, March 16, 2013
Mr W
Richard Chapman
10:08 am on Saturday, March 16, 2013
Anonymous, or should i say Mr W?
You have finally reached the bottom of the pit you gutless wonder. To say anything about seat belts to people who have had their lives destroyed by a horrible accident is an all time low. The best thing that you can do is to keep your mouth shut and concentrate on the politics that you obviously know nothing about. Be a man and come out from behind the Anonymous Brand. Anyone with your wonderful insight should want people to know who you are. I already do know.!
lala
11:22 am on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Wow. So sorry for the families and friends left behind.
Brian Lee
11:27 am on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
The seatbelts are debatable hitting water a 40Mph+ is the same as a brick wall if they hadn't been wearing them the impact could have killed them
Bygtrble
11:36 am on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
:( Can't even imagine being the parents...my heart breaks for them...Peace & love to all.
Coheed
12:48 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Really? Four teens die and thats what you have to say??? Go back into your hole you flamewar starting troll.
A Mom
1:05 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Coheed - they can't put much yet as the investigation is pending and it's better to put facts
Karen
1:15 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Wow, that's so devestating!! My prayers go to the family of the teens!!
Watchful Eye
1:30 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
After watching the just ended news conference, it's even more heartbreaking to think of the consequences the deaths of these four teens will have on their families, their school and their friends.
Michael Montgomery
1:38 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
So sorry for all the families. This is such a tragic thing losing a child way too young. I lost my son last year in a tragic car accident. Three young people lost in their prime. Prayers to all.
Michael Montgomery
1:41 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
So sorry for all the families. This is such a tragic thing losing a child way too young. I lost my son, his girlfriend and theIr friend that was driving in s tragic car accident last year. Prayers to all.
A Wesley Township Resident
1:56 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
I cried for those poor children. Having a daughter 17, i can't even imagine the loss those families are feeling..... Being from this area i would like to know what was done to warn motorists that the road was dangerous, whether it had ice or was flooded over at the time of accident, WHAT WILL BE DONE IN THE FUTURE!!!!!
Fester Bestertester
9:40 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
In a rural area like this, there is simply not enough manpower to "label roads" and every hazzard. Impossible. Anyone from the area should know Forked Creek floods (102 is often shut down at Ritchie, not far from this accident) and needs to be cautious in the area, especially with conditions the way they were. Very sorry what happened here for sure, but to sheer off those 5-6 steel/concrete abutments, the car had to be traveling in excess of 55 miles per hour, probably closer to 80+. Really too bad, but a valuable lesson to young people (oldsters too) to the dangers of careless driving and especially at this time of year. The weather was terrible last night- I was driving in it, and the creek flooded well beyond its banks, and I am sure entering the road in spots. Young people driving back in this area also often completely blow through the stop signs along Deselm Road, Chicago Road, etc., as I have had at least 4-5 close calls over the past few years involving young drivers, cross roads, and cell phones. Teach your children well, people...this is the result, unfortunately.
Dawn Aulet
2:46 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Comments that break our terms of use have been removed.
Watchful Eye
4:03 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Thank you!
Kelly Studer
2:53 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
My thoughts and prayers to the families of these teenagers. Being a parent of a 16 year old this breaks my heart. As for the unbelieveable comment from the person who doesn't even have the guts to leave their name, you are lowest form of a human being. I use the term very loosely! Because you must not be human to say something so horrible!!!!
Shellyk
2:55 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
A mother of one of the victims is a close friend of mine & I promise you drugs were NOT involved. Get the facts straight before you post senseless rude ignorant crap.
Lyndsey Copley
5:35 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
my aunt is jen. cheyennes mother. that's my dads sister. if you know her
Tree
2:59 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Why must people be so rude and assume things! These poor families what they have to go thru. Along with 4 kids lives taken.
kyle adamic
4:20 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
@ Wesley township resident,there has been a flood warning for entire northern Illinois area since Sunday afternoon,so u should always drive slower anytime there is weather conditions,also,theres no facts yet stating what caused them to end up in the creek,very easily could have been a deer in the rd that they swerved for...yall need to stop with the bickering and pray for the families instead,also,wearing Ur seatbelt gives u a much better chance of survival then not..seen way to many times where someone would most likely have lived if they had been wearing their seatbelt.
Watchful Eye
4:56 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
All of us parents, I believe, endure the same thing when our kids get their driver's license, and that is worrying that they get to and from wherever they're going safely. We all know It takes experience to navigate a car in various conditions, and they don't always have the know how to handle tricky situations. Even experienced drivers don't always know how to handle the unexpected. Yes, usually a speed that is too fast for conditions is the biggest factor, but, regardless, this is such a tragedy and it affects us all in a sad way.
Lyndsey Copley
5:29 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
this is my family! it is just a horrific tragedy. we appreciate all the prayers and kind words,
Cheryl
12:54 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Lindsey,
I met your mom & dad last year with Laura &Vince. My sincere condolences to your family. Truly a tragedy!
Lyndsey Copley
5:30 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
my cousin is cheyenne. not only my cousin but my best friend. please no hateful or rude comments. my brother passed away from drowning. it's like once your wound is starting to finally heal, it break right back open. thank you for your thoughts and prayers everyone!
Mary Ann Tomaszewski
10:29 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
My deepest condolences on the loss of your dear cousin and your dear brother, Lyndsey. May you be comforted that they have gone ahead to an unbelievable eternity. I know you will meet them again. Until then, they are saints who are with you in your heart. May you always be comforted by the fact you will be with them in time. Keep the faith, Lyndsey. You will see many replies that tell of the many others who have gone before us when they were so young. Understand that God is with you each step of the way. Keep looking up, sweetie. You will be reminded of both of them through the years and you will smile again. Peace.
Dawn Aulet
5:40 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Lyndsey, My heart goes out to your family and all the families involved. So sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine what you and your family are going through.
Trish
8:00 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
I grew up in braidwood Illinois which is the town over from wilmington ,I however am 27 years old ,don't know any of these kids! However I have friends who are dealing whit the loss of cheyenne ,and a friend who is second cousins with one of the male victims! This is very tragic and very sad ,it hits so close to home I feel for all the families involved can't even begin to think what your going through you are all in my thoughts and prayers!
Bob Ragazzo aka "The Safety Fanatic"
8:22 am on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Now is the time for compassion, grieving and healing, not finger-pointing. My heart goes out to the parents and families of these kids. As a father of 2 boys - 20 and 16, I don't know if I could endure this. The truth is crashes like this are preventable. I am a certified Defensive Driving instructor, and I urge every parent to read my e-book "7 Things Every Parent Must Teach Their Young Driver Before Handing Over the Keys." It's free at www.saveyourteendriver.com
Jon Baker
8:46 am on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Using a tradagy like this for your own self promotion is pretty sad if you ask me...
A Mom
11:16 am on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Thanks Bob,..as the mother of a teen driver I will be checking out that web site. One of the victims was my nephews best friend and he is really having a hard time with this. Young drivers really need to pay attention to the many ways a car can end your life if not handled with care.
Mom of 11
11:25 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Would love to add this...
It was reported the driver (17 yrs old) had only had her license since last June (9months) so that being said by no means should she have had more than 1 passenger!
That is state law... Parents need to help enforce these laws and also teach our kids to be aware of weather related driving hazards!! Flood warnings had been out for a few days!!
This also did not happen with in 1/4 mile of Warner bridge road!!! That would be the former state prison
Jon Baker
8:54 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Here we go with the monday morning quarterbacking :rolls eyes:
Watchful Eye
10:12 am on Friday, March 15, 2013
@Jon Baker - whose comment are you referring to? Mom of 11 is correct. The driver was licensed in June (that was reported soon after the accident), and State law dictates that she was only to have one passenger with her.
Having had a teen driver at one time, and knowing how you never stop worrying about them when they're out and about, it is only human nature for a parent to stress to them what the rules are and hope they adhere to them.
Still, this was a horrific accident and tragic loss of young lives, whatever the reasons were for it happening.
Richard Chapman
9:58 am on Saturday, March 16, 2013
i know that I speak for all the people in Shorewood when I say to the parents and family of these children,,, God bless all of you, we are deeply sorry for your loss.
Mayor Rick Chapman