CHEROKEE COUNTY, Okla. – It was a crash that stunned an Oklahoma community earlier this year.
On Sept. 17, troopers with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol were called to an accident around 10:40 p.m. on the Welling Bridge near Tahlequah.
Investigators say a pickup truck carrying five teenagers drove through a railing on the bridge and fell 35 feet into the river below.
Crews pulled the bodies of 18-year-old Donovan Caldwell, 18-year-old Jessica Swartwout, 19-year-old Drake Wells, 18-year-old Lily Murphy and 18-year-old Rihana Seely from the vehicle.
Friends tell News 4 the group was out celebrating Wells' 19th birthday. Officials say all five teenagers were students at Northeastern State University.
"I cannot fathom the pain the families and friends of these young people are going through as a result of this terrible and tragic accident. My thoughts and prayers are with them this morning," a statement from the president of NSU read, in part.
"This will have a profound effect on all of us and Northeastern State University for many years to come. Supporting our students, faculty and staff will remain our top priority."
Now, it seems that troopers have a few more answers into what happened in the moments before the deadly crash.
On Wednesday, officials with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol announced that Caldwell was likely speeding when he tried to negotiate a curve. However, the roadway was wet and his truck slid into the guardrail.
Investigators say Caldwell was not impaired, but was simply going too fast for the road conditions.
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TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Hundreds gathered to pay their respects to five students who died when a pickup crashed into a river in Cherokee County.
It was supposed to be a celebration.
Friends say 18-year-old Donovan Caldwell, 18-year-old Jessica Swartwout, 19-year-old Drake Wells, 18-year-old Lily Murphy and 18-year-old Autumn Seely were out celebrating Wells’ 19th birthday on Sunday.
Around 10:40 p.m. on Sunday, investigators say Caldwell was driving down Wellings Bridge when he allegedly lost control of his pickup.
The truck veered and crossed over the northbound lane and through the railing, falling about 35 feet into the Illinois River.
Sadly, the crash killed all five teenagers inside the truck.
“We left chapter around like 9:45, so it was like, man, between that time, like how did all this just happen?” Tim Gardenhigh told KFOR on Monday.
The news sent shockwaves through the Northeastern State University campus.
“When I found out, I was just devastated. I knew it was Donovan,” said Nicholas Young.
On Monday night, hundreds of students and staff members gathered to remember those who were taken too soon at a candlelight vigil.
Also, university officials added the students’ names to the student memorial bench that is tucked away on NSU’s campus.
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Five teenagers killed after speeding pickup truck crashes through guardrail, falls into river
September 18, 2017
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Okla. – A community is in shock following the deaths of five teenagers near Tahlequah.
Troopers with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol were called to an accident around 10:40 p.m. on Sunday night on the Welling Bridge.
Investigators say a pickup truck carrying five teenagers drove through a railing on the bridge and fell 35 feet into the river below.
Crews pulled the bodies of 18-year-old Donovan Caldwell, 18-year-old Jessica Swartwout, 19-year-old Drake Wells, 18-year-old Lily Murphy and 18-year-old Rihana Seely from the vehicle.
Officials say all five teenagers were students at Northeastern State University.
“Just before 1:00 am, I was contacted by Campus Police and informed that five NSU students were killed in an auto accident in proximity to the Welling Bridge, south of Tahlequah. The news was devastating and crushing.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports the driver was 18-year-old Donovan Caldwell of Muskogee. The passengers were identified as 18-year-old Jessica Swartwout of McAlester; 19-year-old Drake Wells of Thackerville; 18-year-old Rhianna Seely of Salina and 18-year-old Lily Murphy of Gentry, AR. Their families have been notified.
I cannot fathom the pain the families and friends of these young people are going through as a result of this terrible and tragic accident. My thoughts and prayers are with them this morning.
Activities have been underway throughout the night to provide counselors for the friends and co-students. Notification of the faculty who taught the students is underway. If you feel you need help in any way, please contact HawkReach Counseling Services at 918-444-2042 or Student Affairs at 918-444-2120. I have every confidence in the compassion of the NSU family to pull together and support those who are experiencing so much pain and sadness.
This will have a profound effect on all of us and Northeastern State University for many years to come. Supporting our students, faculty and staff will remain our top priority.
The NSU Community will be updated regarding memorial services and other related details as they become available,” a statement from the president of NSU read.
At this point, what caused the crash is still under investigation. However, it appears that the teen driver was speeding for the road conditions and failed to negotiate the curve, eventually hitting the guardrail and plunging into the river. He will not do that again.
A candlelight vigil is planned for Monday night at 7:30 p.m. at Second Century Square on the NSU campus.
The moral of the story is: SPEED KILLS. SLOW DOWN!