MONROE, Ohio - More than 100 Monroe High students attending a Sunday vigil heard good news about three of their classmates hurt in a crash on the way to the prom Friday night.
Two more were released from the hospital, Monroe Superintendent Phil Cagwin said, meaning three have gone home and one remains under care.
That fourth student suffered life-threatening injuries when she was ejected from the car, according to the Journal-News.
The Monroe students walked around the school Sunday and then gathered in the parking lot, holding hands and forming a chain. They said a prayer and gathered for a picture that will be sent to families of the injured students.
Cagwin was proud of the students, who came up with the idea.
"In some ways it surprises me, but in most ways it doesn't," the superintendent said. "To see this, it's an endorsement, a validation that my beliefs of this student body are true. They just really care about each other.
“Sometimes young people take for granted life and health,” he said. “These kinds of things help them become more grounded, help them understand life is precious.
"I hope something good comes out of a tragedy like this."
The ejected passenger was in the rear seat when the speeding Tesla went off Millikin Road around 7:30 p.m. and flipped, according to Lt. Morgan Dallman, commander of the Liberty Township post of the Butler County Sheriff’s Office. She was flown to University of Cincinnati Medical Center after the crash.
Dallman said another 17-year-old student was driving the car when she veered off the right side of the road in the eastbound lane, over-corrected and went off the left side of the road.
An 18-year-old male in the front passenger seat had to be extricated. A 17-year-old male was also hurt. Those three were taken by ambulance to West Chester Hospital.
One of the injured students went home Saturday.
Dallman said speed was definitely a factor in the crash, and at this time investigators don’t believe drugs or alcohol were involved.
“We still have to rule that out,” Dallmann said.
Dallman said he did not know the condition of the students.
“Hopefully everybody pulls through,” he said.
Cagwin said the high school would help distribute gift cards to the victims and their families:
Monroe High School Families,
At this time I would like to update you on the status of the four Monroe High School students who were injured in a car accident on their way to prom Friday night. All four students were transported to local hospitals following the accident. At this time, 1 student has been released and 3 remain in UC hospital.
Community members and students have asked how they can help the families at their time of need. We have reached out to them, and one family has asked at this time to refrain from visiting their child at the hospital. While they appreciate that show of support, they need to focus on their child and immediate family members. In lieu of visiting, they did ask that if people would like to donate gift cards to purchase food for the families, that would be appreciated. You can deliver the gift cards to the high school office between 7:00 am and 3:00 pm. We will make sure they are distributed to the family members.
A support team assembled by our counselors and administrators will be available for students to provide support on Monday and throughout the week if needed. Parents who feel their child may need extra support, can contact the office by calling 513-539-8471 after 7:00 am Monday morning.
Please join our school community in continuing prayers and hope for a full recovery for each student impacted by this accident.
Sincerely,
Dr. Phil Cagwin
Superintendent, Monroe Local Schools
"Our thoughts and prayers are with our students and their families," Monroe Board of Education president Brett Guido said in a statement.
Students at prom were told about the crash, according to a post on the high school's Facebook page. Extra staff members and counselors were on hand to help the victims' classmates.
The Journal-News is a media partner of WCPO 9 On Your Side.
