Officials have revealed that the six high school students killed in a collision with a semi-truck in Tishomingo, Oklahoma were riding in a small four-seat car at the time of the accident. The tragedy occurred on Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of U.S. 377 and Oklahoma 22, when the car, a 2015 Chevrolet Spark, collided with a rock hauler. The six victims, all girls and students at Tishomingo High School, were stopped at a sign near the intersection around lunchtime when the crash happened.
According to KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City, only the car’s driver, a 16-year-old, and the front-seat passenger were wearing seat belts. The circumstances of the accident are still under investigation, as per the crash report released on Wednesday morning.
An Oklahoma Highway Patrol official spoke to KFOR-TV, saying that the cause of the crash was unknown at this time, but that the car was stopped at the sign when it was struck by the semi-truck. The car was found about 100 feet from the intersection, completely destroyed.
Tishomingo is a rural city with a population of approximately 3,000, located about 115 miles southeast of Oklahoma City. The community is mourning the loss of the six young students, and investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.
After the devastating crash that claimed the lives of six high school students in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, family members and friends have taken to social media to pay tribute to the young victims.
Absolutely terrible news from Tishomingo, OK at US377/OK 22 intersection 6 HS students killed in collision with Semi truck. @kfor #Chopper4 https://t.co/otSvSwuF48 pic.twitter.com/FFQQUFrlj3
— Marc Dillard (@F5Video) March 22, 2022
First victim called Austin, who was active in Future Farmers of America and enjoyed showing her prize hogs, was confirmed as another victim of the crash by a relative. The relative wrote on Facebook that Austin was a gorgeous and intelligent young lady who was taken way too soon.
Jerrmey Holt/Facebook
One of the victims, Madison Robertson, was described by her aunt, who shared several photos of her on social media, as an “irreplaceable gift from God.” She continued to express her heartbreak, saying that Madison’s beautiful soul would remain with them all, even as she had inherited her wings.
Gabrielle Wooly/Facebook
Memory Wilson, who leaves behind a baby daughter, was also remembered fondly by a family friend, who described her as someone with the “biggest heart of pure gold.” The friend recalled how Memory would often take her child to the park, and how much she loved and cherished her daughter.
Memory Wilson/Facebook.
Gracie, another victim of the crash, was remembered by her sister as her best friend, accompanied by a broken heart emoji. Friends paid tribute to Brooklyn, a cheerleader and softball player, as an amazing kid who loved her family and friends wholeheartedly.
Gracie Machado/Facebook
Addison Gratz, or “AJ” as many referred to her, was honored by family members online with photos and memories. Her grandfather posted a heart-wrenching message expressing his grief at the loss of his firstborn granddaughter, saying that a large part of him died that day.
Addison Gratz/Facebook
Brooklyn, a cheerleader and passionate softball player, was also remembered by friends who paid tribute to her. A statement on a GoFundMe campaign for the family described her as an incredible kid who had a wholehearted love for her family and friends. The tribute also praised her as a loyal friend and an exceptional ball player, with the note that she will be deeply missed by her loved ones.
Brooklyn Triplett/Facebook
Meanwhile, locals have described the intersection where the crash occurred as a long-time issue, known as the “Y.” People in the community have stated that it is very dangerous and easy for someone to accidentally pull out in front of oncoming traffic. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) has expressed their condolences to the families of the victims and stated that they are committed to improving the highway system for safety.
