Two fatal car accidents in eight days has the St. Marys community asking: why? On Monday, April 16th, just before 3 p.m., 16-year-old Kennedy Shreiber was killed in an accident while trying to cross US Route 33 at Townline-Kossuth road. On Monday, April 23rd, just after 3 p.m., 18-year-old Heaven Bolinger was killed trying to cross Route 33 at Kettlersville road.
"The community itself, they’re sad, obviously," said Howard Overman, superintendent of St. Mary's School District. "Heartbroken for the families. Obviously, we wish the families the best. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them."
Bolinger was a former St. Marys Memorial High School student while Shreiber was a current student. Overman said immediately after the first accident, a crisis intervention team was brought in. Counselors were available to students as well.
"The next day we went on a two-hour delay so we could work with the staff and get things in line," said Overman. "Let them regroup a little bit because they had this young lady in the class. When you’re in education you’re family. You’re with that student quite a bit and you build those strong relationships."
The two accidents happened just four miles apart. Both are seen as a failure to yield. Both young ladies were wearing seat belts. The only difference is Bolinger actually stopped at the stop sign but still pulled out in front of oncoming traffic.
"Other than talking to witnesses that she had stopped and pulled out, we really can’t answer at this point in time why she pulled out from that," Lieutenant Scott Carrico said, post commander for the State Highway Patrol. It’s an open intersection, no view obstructions or anything. Right now it’s kind of unexplained on why this occurred other than she failed to yield the right of way to a vehicle that was traveling 70 miles an hour.
Carrico spoke to the Ohio Department of Transportation Tuesday morning and they said all signs in the area are in good condition and reflective. He said he is unsure whether cell phones played a factor in both crashes. Carrico added patrol will be beefed up for the next few months between Interstate 75 and St. Marys and there is a likelihood aviation could be used.
