Three recent female graduates have reportedly died in a car crash following a high school basketball game in Missouri.
On Friday, Feb. 21 at around 8 p.m. local time on the Highway 54 in Vernon County, the trio ages 18, 19 and 21, plus a 38-year-old male in a different car, were killed in the crash, per a Missouri State Highway Patrol online traffic report.
The male who died was the driver of a GMC Terrain that was hit by a Toyota Corolla carrying the female victims. The latter had failed to stop at a stop sign, according to the report.
The Toyota Corolla was being driven by a man, 49, and also carrying a 38-year-old woman the Highway Patrol release stated. Both are seriously injured in the hospital, it added
Two 16-year-olds in the GMC Terrain suffered minor injuries in the crash, while an 18-year-old was moderately injured, per the report. A 39-year-old woman in the car was also seriously injured. All victims were taken to different hospitals for treatment.
Stock image of a patrol car.
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Officials didn’t identify the victims in the report, but the three females killed — two of which allegedly weren’t wearing safety devices, per the report — were identified as recent graduates of Climax Springs School District, per a Facebookpost shared by district officials.
The message paid tribute to Ava Wolfe, Jayden Butterfield and Violet Corado. They were reportedly returning home from a basketball game between the Climax Springs and the Northeast Vernon County High School, NBC-affiliated station KSNF stated.
“Last evening, after attending an away basketball game, three recent Climax Springs graduates were involved in a fatal motor vehicle accident,” the Feb. 22 tribute read.
“Ava and Jayden were both beloved employees of the District, who dedicated their time and talent to our students each day. As students, all of these individuals left a legacy within our school,” the district added.
Missouri sign.
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“The District will host counselors for our students and staff on Monday and Tuesday of next week. As the families and our community grieve the loss of lives which held many great things ahead of them, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers,” the post concluded.
The crash report stated that all the victims were pronounced deceased at 10:47 p.m. on the evening of the crash. The Toyota Corolla veered off the roadway following the incident, before hitting a fence and a tree, authorities said.
The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office also paid tribute to the victims in a Facebook post, writing that their “hearts and prayers go out to the families and friends that have been affected by the wreck on C hwy and 54 hwy. May God wrap his arms around you and comfort throughout this time.”
