Remembering Hermitage teens killed in crash
Prayers will be shared throughout the Hermitage community as many mourn the loss of two young lives taken in a crash Sunday night.
Prayers will be shared throughout the Hermitage community as many mourn the loss of two young lives taken in a crash Sunday night.
The families of 15-year-old Danielle Nelson and 16-year-old Alexis Myers are said to be heartbroken.
"The only way I can define them is they're all sweethearts," said Joe Ranelli, religious education director at the Parish of Notre Dame.
"Just a great extension of their families and just beacons of light and joy," he said.
Nelson was a member of the girls cross country team and a jumper for the track team.
Myers ran track in the past for the Hickory School District and was most recently involved her school's music program.
Her father is Adam Myers, a Hickory wrestling coach for the lower grades.
A Go Fund Me page was set up by the wrestling team to support the family.
Both girl were strong in their faith and grew up going to the Parish of Notre Dame in Hermitage. Ranelli says the parish and others will add all of the families to their prayer lists shared at local services and the community.
Ranelli said Nelson, Myers and crash victim Emily Spielvogle were at the Parish on Sunday for programs.
Spielvogle's family tells Ranelli that she underwent surgery on Monday afternoon for her injuries.
Both Spielvogle and another teen were taken to a Pittsburgh medical center for serious injuries. There is still no word on their conditions.
"I will never forget them, the ones that are no longer with us, and we continue to pray for the ones in the hospital," Ranelli said.
Hickory High School had school counselors, a school crisis team and a state crisis team on hand Monday for students and staff. They will continue to offer counseling services to those in need.
All four girls in the SUV were on their way to a religious group meeting for Young Life Grove City College. The Young Life organization tells 21 News it's devastated by the loss of two beloved members.
"We mourn with and for their families and will do all we can to support them in their grief. Young Life activities in their community have been postponed or altered to care for the young people who have lost their dear friends."
