BUTLER COUNTY, Ohio (WLWT) – Four teenagers from Monroe High School were hospitalized after crashing on their way to prom Friday night, police said.
As of Sunday afternoon, three students remain in UC Hospital and one has been released, Superintendent Phil Cagwin said.
Dr. Cagwin said the community has been reaching out asking how to show support for the injured students and their families. The families have asked for no visitors in the hospital at this time, Dr. Cagwin said. In lieu of visiting the hospital, the Superintendent said donating gift cards to purchase food for the families would be welcome. Donations can be delivered to the high school office between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Dr. Cagwin said.
The Superintendent said a support team assembled by the school counselors and administrators will be available to students on Monday and throughout the week.
"Please join our school community in continuing prayers and hope for a full recovery for each student impacted by this accident," Dr. Cagwin asked.
Butler County Sheriff Deputies said the crash happened shortly after 6 p.m.
The teens were riding in a 2013 Tesla Sedan going eastbound toward Butler-Warren Road on Millikin Road when the vehicle came over a hill and crashed.
Deputies said the teens were driving fast on the hilly stretch of road.
Two teens were ejected and one was trapped in the vehicle, deputies said.
Investigators said neighbors rushed to help the teens. Neighbors told WLWT you could hear the crash throughout the area, and described it as a "loud boom."
Neighbors said there were two boys and two girls in the car.
"It’s awful. It’s just awful just to think, you know, our daughter is in the fourth grade, but to think that this could be her in a few years going to prom," neighbor Angela Recher said.
The Board of Education President, Brett Guido, released a statement that said in part, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the students and their families."
The teens were taken by ground to UC West Chester, but one had to be airlifted from there to UC Medical Center.
Authorities said speed appears to be a factor in the crash.
Deputies said they are also working to determine if drugs or alcohol may have been involved.
