The families of two released statements Thursday, thanking well-wishers and asking privacy for their children.
The Adams County Coroner hasn’t released the names of the two students who died. Injured in the wreck on East 38th Avenue near Penrith Road, were sophomore James Dickerson, 16, freshman Ciara Bingham, 15, and senior Malachi Clifford, said Robin Purdy, superintendent of the Bennett school district.
The two dead are both boys, said Trooper Nate Reid, Colorado State Patrol spokesman.
“I believe they are very good friends,” Purdy said Wednesday.
On Thursday, the University of Colorado Hospital, where the three are being treated released statements from the parents of Clifford, and Patterson.
“Even though Malachi is in serious condition, he continues to make small, daily improvements. We encourage your prayers and well-wishes to include everyone involved in the accident. We respectfully ask you to give Malachi the space and privacy he needs to recover,” said the statement from Clifford’s family.
The Dickersons’ statement said: “We are caught in an unfortunate tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in the accident.
“The kids need time to deal with this matter in private, and respectfully appreciate everyone’s understanding of this.”
The mood at the school is somber, Purdy said, and Colorado State Patrol victims’ advocates, school counselors and mental health counselors from East Central Behavioral Health are on hand to talk to students.
The students in the crash left the school shortly after the eighth period started at 3:10 p.m. The school day ends at 4:05 p.m.
“We’re not sure what they were doing,” Purdy said. “We don’t believe they lived in the area where the accident happened.”
The crash happened before 4 p.m., about one-half mile east of North Harback Road, when the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer one of boys was driving left the road and rolled multiple times before stopping in a field, Reid said.
Three passengers riding in the rear seat were ejected from the vehicle, and all were seriously injured.
One person was taken by helicopter to University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora. Two others were taken by ambulance to the same hospital, Reid said.
Neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be factors. Excessive speed is a likely factor, Reid said.
The crash is under investigation.
