CORYELL COUNTY, TX — Two teens were killed and another injured after a pickup truck crashed into a tree early Saturday morning.
The Texas Department of Public Safety said the accident happened just after 1 a.m. on Cedar Ridge Road north of Old Osage Road in Coryell County.
Officials said that a pickup truck was traveling southbound when the driver of the truck lost control and hit a tree. The three teens in the truck were not wearing seat belts.
Two of the three teens were pronounced dead at the scene. The other was taken to a hospital for incapacitating injuries.
Beverly Spencer confirmed that her family member, Ethan Sandell, was one of the teens killed in the crash.
Jimmy Tennison, who started a GoFundMe page for funeral expenses, said his son, Kyle Tennison, was the other teen killed.
DPS has yet to officially release the names of the victims, adding that the crash is still under investigation.
Gatesville ISD Superintendent Dr. Barrett Pollard said the two teens who died were sophomores at Gatesville High School.
"They were good students, they were in a lot of extracuriculars," Pollard said. "They were athletes and by all accounts good kids, so we're just heartbroken that it happened."
Pollard said grief counselors are on campus for students and will remain there for as long as they are needed.
Tiara Elledge took advantage of the counselors on campus, but was picked up early on Monday so she could see visit the memorial for her friend, Kyle.
"It was important for her to come and bring some flowers," said Loretta Elledge, Tiara's grandmother. "She was struggling in school and asked me to come get her so she could come out here and pay her respects."
Handmade crosses, pictures, flowers and messages of love sit at the scene of the crash.
"I've had a lot of trouble getting it through my head, so I thought that maybe if I went and saw it for myself I would get the picture, that this is real, that this did happen," Tiara said. "Kyle would always look out for the kid that was being bullied. He was such a good kid."
"It makes me very sad that any family has to go through this," Elledge said.
Heaven Hopson also visited the memorial with her friend, Clarissa Tijerina. Neither of them went to school on Monday.
"They were both really good guys," Heaven said. "They had good personalities and they always found a way to make someone smile."
"They were like brothers to me. I just didn't think it was true," Clarissa said. "They made everybody laugh they always put smiles on people's faces."
Pollard said the school met with both teens parents over the weekend to see if the district can help with setting up a fundraiser, balloon release or memorial service to honor their memory.
"They're in as good of a state as you can imagine," Pollard said. "They're trying to plan and figure out what the next step should be. Our teachers very much want to help them."
To make a donation to cover Ethan Sandell's funeral costs, click here.
To make a donation to cover Kyle Tennison's funeral costs, click here.
Kyle's funeral service has been set for May 4 at 10 a.m. at Coryell Community Church. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 3 at Scott's Funeral Home.
Ethan's funeral service has beet set for May 2 at 3 p.m. at Coryell Community Church. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. May 1 at Scott's Funeral Home.
Due to a large number of students and staff wishing to attend Ethan's service, Gatesville High School will have early dismissal at 2 p.m., according to the district.
