A 16-year-old Kingston girl and 16-year-old South Frontenac boy
were killed in a tragic car crash on Rutledge Road in South Frontenac on
Wednesday June 17, 2015. A 17-year-old male passenger is in hospital
suffering from life-threatening injuries, another 16-year-old female
passenger had minor injuries, and the 16-year-old female driver suffered
minor injuries. Steph Crosier/Kingston Whig-Standard/Postmedia Network
Frontenac OPP responded to the scene of a single-vehicle collision at approximately 10:45 p.m. There they found a Hyundai SUV that had left County Road 5 and rolled with five teenagers inside.
A female Grade 11 student from Kingston Collegiate and a male Grade 11 Sydenham High School student died at the scene. Transported to hospital were a 17-year-old male with life-threatening injuries, another 16-year-old female passenger with non-life-threatening injuries, and the driver, a 16-year-old female, with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Whig-Standard will not publish the names of the victims as they are minors.
Rutledge Road was closed during the night as the scene was investigated. This morning, the scene, including the unrecognizable SUV, had been cleared by emergency crews, and only an OPP investigator was going door to door.
The crash occurred in front of 1869 Rutledge Rd., where about a metre and a half of the property’s stone retaining wall had been ripped away. Two lug nut caps, shattered vehicle lights and an air vent still littered the side of the road.
The road’s asphalt was stained by Wednesday night’s events as a friend of the family stopped by the scene. He and his son wanted to see the results of the crash for themselves.
A resident, who wished to not be identified, said the scene was very traumatic.
“By the time they took (the vehicle) away this morning, you couldn’t tell what it was,” said the woman who lives a few doors away from the scene. She said all her neighbours heard the crash and came out to help.
“It’s a phenomenal group of people that live through here, and all the neighbours were wonderful,” the woman said. “So we were all out.”
All five teens are students of the Limestone District School Board, Brenda Hunter, director of education for the board confirmed Thursday afternoon during a news conference.
“Our sincerest condolences to their families, friends and staff at both schools,” Hunter said. “Three other Limestone students were injured in the accident, one critically. We send them our best wishes for recovery.”
Hunter said counsellors will be on hand for any students who need assistance dealing with the loss.
“If parents feel that children are in need of support, please do not hesitate to contact your school,” Hunter said.
The investigation is continuing with the assistance of OPP Technical Traffic Collision Investigators. If anyone has information about the crash, they are asked to contact Frontenac OPP at 613-372-1932.
Do not drink and drive and do not speed.