We lost one.

Ben E Lou · 07-19-2003, 11:25 AM

A kid who was involved in our ministry was killed. The story can be found here. Hannah was a very popular girl, a cheerleader, and would have possibily been Homecoming Queen this fall. It is a very sad waste. I'm away at camp with middle school kids right now, but I'm getting calls right and left from parents and kids. It sounds like this has really devastated our community. I'll be back Sunday night, and hosting a time of processing and grieving just for teenagers on Monday after the funeral.

I've known a number of teenagers over the years who have passed away--some who went to school with kids I knew, but weren't involved in Young Life, and some who had graduated from HS and used to be involved, but Hannah is the first kid who was currently in high school and involved in my ministry to die. She was pretty close to my wife. There are only pics of about 20 kids on our refrigerator who are currently in high school, and Hannah was one of them.

I'd appreciate prayers for our community, and in particular for my time with kids on Monday afternoon.

--Ben

Hannah is the one on the far right in the pic below.

Kodos · 07-19-2003, 11:35 AM

That's awful. I'm so sorry to hear about this, SkyDog. My thoughts are with everyone at your ministry and her family.

Draft Dodger · 07-19-2003, 11:38 AM

very sad.

sorry to hear it.

Noop · 07-19-2003, 11:39 AM

rjolley · 07-19-2003, 11:40 AM

Very sorry to hear that. My condolenses to everyone.

MrBug708 · 07-19-2003, 11:41 AM

Wow, very sad. Thoughts out to everyone

However, street racing is a very dangerous sport and I know one person killed over here, but not with motorcycles, but a car

bigdawg2003 · 07-19-2003, 11:49 AM

My condolences to all

korme · 07-19-2003, 11:54 AM

That's terrible..

Vince · 07-19-2003, 12:14 PM

So sorry to hear that SkyDog. My thoughts are with you and yours.

McSweeny · 07-19-2003, 12:19 PM

very very sad

FrogMan · 07-19-2003, 12:29 PM

very sad indeed. My thoughts go out to you, her family, and everybody that was close to her...

FM

illinifan999 · 07-19-2003, 12:33 PM

FBPro · 07-19-2003, 12:35 PM

Remembering those touched in our prayers today.

SirFozzie · 07-19-2003, 12:52 PM

Saying a prayer for the fallen, and those left behind.

GrantDawg · 07-19-2003, 01:02 PM

Our prayers are with you and her friends and family.

Godzilla Blitz · 07-19-2003, 01:06 PM

Very sorry to hear this. My condolences to all as well.

MylesKnight · 07-19-2003, 01:14 PM

My apologies to you SD, to your community and most especially to the Young Girl's Family.. I can only imagine how they must feel right now. That is something you never want to see anyone have to go through. Very Sad..

Darkiller · 07-19-2003, 01:20 PM

Very sorry sorry to hear that Skydog, I join all my prayers to you, the ministry, and the family.

May she rest in peace.

Marc Vaughan · 07-19-2003, 01:40 PM

Very sorry to hear that.

My thoughts are with your community and her family.

Dutch · 07-19-2003, 01:51 PM

Sad news indeed....too young.

BFleming · 07-19-2003, 01:52 PM

Terrible to hear...

I echo everyone else in sending my deepest condolences...

sachmo71 · 07-19-2003, 01:53 PM

Our condolences to her family, Skydog.

Silver Owl · 07-19-2003, 02:20 PM

So sorry to see this. Thoughts and prayers to her family and loved ones.

JW · 07-19-2003, 02:47 PM

Very sorry to hear that. In June my high school and its community lost two members in a wreck just a couple of weeks after they had graduated. They were killed in a van wreck while returning home from their summer job at a nearby plant. They were working there while deciding what to do in the fall. Another student who had just graduated was injured. The injured student had nearly died in a joyriding wreck the previous summer. No one was wearing seatbelts. I understand how something like this can affect a whole community.

Cards4ever · 07-19-2003, 02:50 PM

17 is way to young to die, my condolences to all involved.

Swaggs · 07-19-2003, 02:51 PM

Terrible, terrible news...

Senator · 07-19-2003, 02:58 PM

horrible

Eaglesfan27 · 07-19-2003, 03:56 PM

I'm truly sad to hear that. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone who was touched by this tragic incident.

vtbub · 07-19-2003, 04:22 PM

So sorry.

klayman · 07-19-2003, 04:26 PM

Vegas Vic · 07-19-2003, 05:34 PM

What a tragedy and waste of a young life.

She has moved on to a better place, and my thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.

QuikSand · 07-19-2003, 05:44 PM

So sorry.

NoMyths · 07-19-2003, 05:59 PM

Sad news, Ben.

Bad-example · 07-19-2003, 07:40 PM

Neuqua · 07-19-2003, 07:48 PM

That's just too bad.

cincyreds · 07-19-2003, 08:44 PM

I am sorry to hear the news as well.

MizzouRah · 07-19-2003, 08:48 PM

Wow, sad news indeed. I used to have a motorcycle and sold it. I actually thought about buying one again, but I thought of the consequences and my two little ones at home.

Sad... very sad. She will be in my prayers.

Todd

AnalBumCover · 07-19-2003, 11:09 PM

Craptacular · 07-20-2003, 12:06 AM

Very sad. Hopefully some good will come out of this, and other kids will learn to think a little more before doing something stupid. I'm sick of seeing or hearing about things like this.

Franklinnoble · 07-20-2003, 10:47 AM

Sorry to hear that, S.D. I will pray for her friends and family.

Fortunately, Hannah is in a much better place.

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." - Phi 1:21

Balldog · 07-20-2003, 11:00 AM

Last year around this time a 14-year old and a 19-year old collided on dirt bikes at night nearby, both died on impact.

tucker342 · 07-20-2003, 11:35 AM

sad news

Anrhydeddu · 07-20-2003, 11:37 AM

This is very tragic. I sincerely hope with all my heart that others will learn from this and never, ever do something as stupid as street racing, esp. in a motorcycle.

Ben E Lou · 07-20-2003, 09:47 PM

I'm back in town now. Thanks for all of your kind words. I've been on the phone most of the afternoon and evening. As is to be expected, kids are taking it VERY hard. The funeral is tomorrow (Monday) at 11am. One of the speakers is a kid who went to camp with us in June. My wife talked to her this afternoon. She's not doing well at all, and doesn't think she'll make it through her words without breaking down.

The sad thing is that from what I know of teenagers, reckless behavior in Tucker will slow down for around three weeks, maybe a couple of months if we're lucky, but then things will be right back to normal.

JPhillips · 07-20-2003, 10:42 PM

I hate it, but I agree with you Skydog. The small town I grew up in in Ohio would go through something like this every three or four years. It cleans up for a while, but soon the old behavior, just with different players is back.

Good luck and God bless.

tucker342 · 07-20-2003, 10:45 PM

A kid I knew and two of his friends died in a car crash last year in my town.... it's scary how easily peoples lives can be taken

Ben E Lou · 07-21-2003, 03:30 PM

Well, I just got back from the funeral, graveside service, and then post-funeral gathering with kids. I've been to a number of funerals, but this was the saddest one I've ever been to. Her older sister, who Jen and I knew very well from when she was in high school, just absolutely wailed throughout nearly the entire thing.

At the end of the funeral, they opened up the microphone for kids to get up and speak. Around 10 or 12 of them spoke, and of course struggled to get through it. Hannah had the kind of personality that just lit up a room whenever she walked in. The principal described her VERY well earlier when he compared her to a cocker spaniel puppy--just enthusiastic about being EVERYONE'S friend. Kids told some great stories that very much captured who she was. The final one to speak was Luca (her boyfriend who was driving the motorcycle). Of course he was more broken up than just about anyone. Through his sobs, he talked about how much he loved her and was going to miss her, and then he said something to the effect of: "Mr. and Mrs. Dodd, I know I've said it a hundred times, and you've told me not to say it any more, and I promise I won't say it again., but...{pause, sobs}....I........AM........SO...{sobs}.....SORRY." As frustrated as I, and many others are, with the whole situation, you couldn't help but weep with the kid. He's going to carry this with him the rest of his life.

Then we went to the graveside. I'd never seen this done before, but they actually lowered her body into the ground as a part of the ceremony, and they had a pile of dirt and a shovel there, and at the end they encouraged everyone present to dig a shovel-full of dirt and throw it into the hole on top of her body. I thought that was good for giving the teenagers there a picture of the finality of the whole situation. Kids stayed around the gravesite until the VERY bitter end too. The tent was down. The astro-turf was gone. All that was left was a pile of dirt, a hole, and the tractor filling in the hole. They watched the whole thing.

Afterwards, a bunch of kids showed up at the gathering that we had. It was good to be with them.

Tough times in Tucker, but we're healing.

--Ben

korme · 07-21-2003, 03:42 PM

Mike died when I was a freshman and he was a sophomore. He was very close to one of my best friends. It was tough on all of Milford and to this day -- after 2 years, people still have tributes to Mike in their AIM info, stickers on their cars, everything. I remember it was very hard to deal with death when it is someone my age. It was a bit frightening to tell the truth, realizing it can happen to anyone. Alot of times you think you are safe and you can't be hurt, but things like this bring you back to reality.

FBPro · 07-21-2003, 03:43 PM

Certainly a difficult and sad time, thankfully God can work miracles never thought possible in and through times like this. May His Peace surround all those touched.

Ksyrup · 07-21-2003, 03:45 PM

My condolences to the family and everyone who was touched by this tragedy.

Just curious, is the boyfriend looking at any possible criminal charges, like vehicular manslaughter? If I had been the boyfriend, I would have been extremely uncomfortable showing up to the funeral. But it sounds like there is more forgiveness than blame. I'm honestly not sure how I would react if I was the parent, especially this soon after the tragedy.

My prayers for all involved.

07-19-2003, 11:38 AM	#3
Draft Dodger Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Keene, NH	very sad. sorry to hear it. __________________ Mile High Hockey

07-19-2003, 11:39 AM	#4
Noop Bonafide Seminole Fan Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Miami	__________________ Subby's favorite woman hater.

07-19-2003, 11:41 AM	#6
MrBug708 Head Coach Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Whittier	Wow, very sad. Thoughts out to everyone However, street racing is a very dangerous sport and I know one person killed over here, but not with motorcycles, but a car Last edited by MrBug708 : 07-19-2003 at 11:43 AM.

07-19-2003, 11:49 AM	#7
bigdawg2003 High School Varsity Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Austin, Texas, USA	My condolences to all __________________ I didn't even know Elvis was from Memphis. I thought he was from Tennessee.

07-19-2003, 12:14 PM	#9
Vince Pro Starter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Willow Glen, CA	So sorry to hear that SkyDog. My thoughts are with you and yours. __________________ Every time a Dodger scores a run, an angel has its wings ripped off by a demon, and is forced to tearfully beg the demon to cauterize the wounds.The demon will refuse, and the sobbing angel will lie in a puddle of angel blood and feathers for eternity, wondering why the Dodgers are allowed to score runs.That’s not me talking: that’s science. McCoveyChronicles.com.

07-19-2003, 11:35 AM	#2
Kodos Resident Alien Join Date: Jun 2001	That's awful. I'm so sorry to hear about this, SkyDog. My thoughts are with everyone at your ministry and her family.

07-19-2003, 11:40 AM	#5
rjolley College Starter Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Roseville, CA	Very sorry to hear that. My condolenses to everyone.

07-19-2003, 11:54 AM	#8
korme Go Reds Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bloodbuzz Ohio	That's terrible..

07-19-2003, 12:19 PM	#10
McSweeny College Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Somerville, MA	very very sad

07-19-2003, 12:29 PM	#11
FrogMan Hattrick Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Pintendre, Qc, Canada	very sad indeed. My thoughts go out to you, her family, and everybody that was close to her... FM __________________ A Black Belt is a White Belt who refused to give up... follow my story: The real life story of a running frog...

07-19-2003, 12:33 PM	#12
illinifan999 Pro Rookie Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: VA	__________________ Chicago Eagles 2 time ZFL champions We're "rebuilding"

07-19-2003, 12:35 PM	#13
FBPro College Starter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SE	Remembering those touched in our prayers today. __________________ GM RayCo Raiders-est. 2004-2012 Charter member of the IHOF-RayCo GM GM Tennessee Titans PFL 2011-2014 GM Tennessee Titans FOWL 2020-2025

07-19-2003, 12:52 PM	#14
SirFozzie Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: The State of Insanity	Saying a prayer for the fallen, and those left behind. __________________ Check out Foz's New Video Game Site, An 8-bit Mind in an 8GB world! http://an8bitmind.com

07-19-2003, 01:02 PM	#15
GrantDawg World Champion Mis-speller Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Covington, Ga.	Our prayers are with you and her friends and family.

07-19-2003, 01:06 PM	#16
Godzilla Blitz College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000	Very sorry to hear this. My condolences to all as well. __________________ Current Blog Projects: Final Fantasy: Lost in Japanese Kaboom Review

07-19-2003, 01:14 PM	#17
MylesKnight College Benchwarmer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Neptune Beach, Florida	My apologies to you SD, to your community and most especially to the Young Girl's Family.. I can only imagine how they must feel right now. That is something you never want to see anyone have to go through. Very Sad.. __________________ IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BLACK & GOLD!!

07-19-2003, 01:20 PM	#18
Darkiller FOF2 Guy Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Paris, France	Very sorry sorry to hear that Skydog, I join all my prayers to you, the ministry, and the family. May she rest in peace. __________________ FOF2 lives on / Continue to support the best game ever ! - Owner of the San Francisco 49ers in FOF2 - Charter member of the IHOF and owner of the Paris Musketeers franchise (FOF2004) - Chairman of the IHOF Hall of Fame - Athletic Director of the Brigham Young Cougars in TCY FOF Legend: Hall of Fame QB Brock Sheriff #5, one of the most popular player in Front Office Football history.

07-19-2003, 01:40 PM	#19
Marc Vaughan SI Games Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Melbourne, FL	Very sorry to hear that. My thoughts are with your community and her family.

07-19-2003, 01:51 PM	#20
Dutch "Dutch" Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Tampa, FL	Sad news indeed....too young.

07-19-2003, 01:52 PM	#21
BFleming H.S. Freshman Team Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Jersey	Terrible to hear... I echo everyone else in sending my deepest condolences...

07-19-2003, 01:53 PM	#22
sachmo71 The boy who cried Trout Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: TX	Our condolences to her family, Skydog.

07-19-2003, 02:20 PM	#23
Silver Owl High School JV Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Akron, OH	So sorry to see this. Thoughts and prayers to her family and loved ones.

07-19-2003, 02:47 PM	#24
JW College Prospect Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Monroe, LA, USA	Very sorry to hear that. In June my high school and its community lost two members in a wreck just a couple of weeks after they had graduated. They were killed in a van wreck while returning home from their summer job at a nearby plant. They were working there while deciding what to do in the fall. Another student who had just graduated was injured. The injured student had nearly died in a joyriding wreck the previous summer. No one was wearing seatbelts. I understand how something like this can affect a whole community.

07-19-2003, 02:50 PM	#25
Cards4ever College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Eagan, MN	17 is way to young to die, my condolences to all involved. __________________ Cardinal Baseball & Gopher Hockey, what else do you need?

07-19-2003, 02:51 PM	#26
Swaggs Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000	Terrible, terrible news... __________________ DOWN WITH HATTRICK!!! The RWBL Are you reading In The Bleachers?

07-19-2003, 02:58 PM	#27
Senator FOFC's Elected Representative Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The stars at night; are big and bright	horrible __________________ "i have seen chris simms play 4-5 times in the pros and he's very clearly got it. he won't make a pro bowl this year, but it'll come. if you don't like me saying that, so be it, but its true. we'll just have to wait until then" imettrentgreen "looking at only ten games, and oddly using a median only, leaves me unmoved generally" - Quiksand

07-19-2003, 03:56 PM	#28
Eaglesfan27 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: New Jersey	I'm truly sad to hear that. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone who was touched by this tragic incident. __________________ Retired GM of the eNFL 2007 Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles (19-0 record.) GM of the WOOF 2006 Doggie Bowl Champion Atlantic City Gamblers. GM of the IHOF 2019 and 2022 IHOF Bowl Champion Asheville Axemen.

07-19-2003, 04:22 PM	#29
vtbub College Starter Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Burlington, VT USA	So sorry. __________________

07-19-2003, 04:26 PM	#30
klayman College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Edmonton	sad

07-19-2003, 05:34 PM	#31
Vegas Vic Checkraising Tourists Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cocoa Beach, FL	What a tragedy and waste of a young life. She has moved on to a better place, and my thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends. Last edited by Vegas Vic : 07-19-2003 at 05:35 PM.

07-19-2003, 05:44 PM	#32
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	So sorry.

07-19-2003, 05:59 PM	#33
NoMyths Poet in Residence Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Charleston, SC	Sad news, Ben.

07-19-2003, 07:40 PM	#34
Bad-example College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: san jose CA	__________________ Karaoke Katie drove the crowd wild Every time she'd sing they'd come in for miles Curtain came up, Katie came on Drinking like a lumberjack and singing Delta Dawn

07-19-2003, 07:48 PM	#35
Neuqua Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Chicago, Ill	That's just too bad. __________________ Our Deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be?

07-19-2003, 08:44 PM	#36
cincyreds High School Varsity Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Mississippi	I am sorry to hear the news as well. __________________ The Dallas Cowboys!! America's Team will rise again.