FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ill. (KFVS) – Three teenagers are dead and two others are injured following a crash in rural Benton, Illinois.
According to Franklin County Coroner Marty Leffler, the three teens are 17-year-old Bradley Williams, 15-year-old Joecy Padavic and 16-year-old Landen Agnitsch.
Funeral arrangements have been made for all three.
Services for Williams and Padavic will be handled by Leffler Funeral Home.
Union Funeral Home will handle services for Agnitsch.
Funeral arrangements made for 3 teens killed in Franklin Co. crash
Around 4:55 p.m. on Saturday, September 16, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a crash in rural Franklin County. Deputies responded and found a single-vehicle crash.
According to a statement from Franklin County Sheriff Kyle Bacon, there were three confirmed deaths as a result of the crash.
Two students from West Frankfort who were also in the vehicle were injured.
The crash is currently under investigation by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Illinois State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit.
Community mourns
According to the Benton Consolidated High School, the three teens were students at the school.
A news release sent on Monday stated:
“…We mourn the loss of our students while sending our love, thoughts, and prayers to the families and friends of these students. Our school family is heartbroken as this loss affects everyone in our school, the community of Benton, as well as some of our surrounding communities. We will do everything we can to help with the healing process and we appreciate our community’s continued support of our students.”
Superintendent Benjamin Johnson
Benton Mayor Lee Messersmith posted a statement on Facebook following the deadly crash. Messersmith asked those in Benton to have the families affected in their prayers, thoughts and actions.
West Frankfort Mayor Tim Arview shared a statement Sunday morning.
Immanuel Baptist Church of Benton opened their doors for those who wanted to pray or be prayed for after the crash.
A candlelight vigil was held Sunday night, September 17 at Tabor Field.
Franklin County leaders temporarily closed Benton Field Road.
According to Franklin County Emergency Management Agency, the road will be closed to to non-resident traffic for the safety of family and friends visiting the crash site.
EMA said the closure is for the safety of pedestrians gathering in the area.
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