Three teens die in 3 separate incidents

KSDK | 4/19/04 | Sharon Stevens

[trussell]

By Sharon Stevens Education Reporter

(KSDK) — Grief counselors will return to Oakville Senior High School Tuesday, where students and staff are remembering three friends who died over a three-day period.

Chad McCord, Ed Raterman and Corinne Foster were all killed in separate traffic mishaps that occurred last Thursday, Friday and early Saturday morning.

Oakville students began the day with an extended moment of silence for the three teenagers. Counselors were on hand to help console the grieving.

The tragedy was compounded by the fact that six students or recent grads have been killed in traffic accidents in less than three years.

The high school was a somber place Monday. McCord's funeral took place Monday morning. Visitation for Corinne Foster is going on Monday evening.

The three were remembered in messages written on oversize posters that will eventually be given to their families.

McCord, a former soccer star, was struck Thursday morning when he allegedly ran into traffic on northbound Interstate 55 near Highway 141.

On Friday, Ed Raterman, a junior, died when his car overturned and slammed into a tree on Yaeger Road.

Corinne Foster, a 2003 graduate, lost control of her car early Saturday morning and died in a single car crash on southbound 270 and Gravois.

Visitation for Corinne Foster will be held Monday from 3:00-9:00 p.m. at Kutis Funeral Home on Lemay.

Visitation for Edward Raterman will be Tuesday beginning at 3:00 p.m. at the Fey Funeral Home on Lemay Ferry Road.

Principal Eric Knost says Monday was a rough day, "Some classes chose, depending on the students, to have discussions in the class. At lunch today we're going to have three separate banners, that the kids can write messages to each one of the kids who lost their lives. We'll just keep working through it."

[trussell]

At lease one of these teens was loved by a FReeper who wishes to remain anonymous.

[ValerieUSA]

Which state is this Oakville in?

[trussell]

Prayer ping.

Lifting my prayers for the families of all of these teens. May God Bless them and accept them into heaven!!

Blessings,
Trussell


If you want on or off my prayer ping list, please let me know. All requests happily honored.

[tiki]

Prayers for families and friends.

[trussell]

Here is the URL for this article, looks like it is in Missouri

http://www.ksdk.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=58924

[MHT]

These accidents took place in Missouri--which has a notoriously bad highway system thanks to 12 years of Democrat governors. When listening to the radio, you can count on accidents being on Hwy 55, 44, 270, and 40, in that order. Highways 55, 44, 270, and I-70 are overrun with transit trucks, usually speeding and not giving cars, particularly smaller cars, room to get out of their way. This is complicated by the fact that the Department of Transportation is overloaded with employees and even state roads (often used as urban streets) are in horrible states of disrepair. It took approximately 21 deaths at one particular intersection before the state intervened to correct the basic engineering of the site.

Not only is this tragic, such incidents will be repeated as long as this state refuses to address political, financial, personnel, and engineering problems with its roads.

[trussell]

Thank you tiki!!

[Militiaman7]

Prayers for all concerned.

Very very sad.

[trussell]

BTTT

[trussell]

BTTT

[trussell]

BTTT

[trussell]

Thank you Militiaman7

[Bobber58]

over 150,000 people die every day
God likes new playmates, doesn't care how they get there
sucks for us, but that's life

[Pegita]

Heavenly Father, we return to give You thanks that You know each sparrow that falls to the ground ... you know the number of hairs on our head ... You know the grief and the sorrow in the loss of these three young lives. Bind up the broken hearts in these families and in the hearts of the multitudes of their friends ... the deaths of ones so young bring unspeakable anguish. Walk with each one through this dark time, Merciful Father, for You know the way. May the comfort of Your Word and the prayers of Your children sustain them in their hour of need. In the Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen ...

[holyscroller]

Forgive me if I sound hard-hearted, but I think perhaps the state's Driver's Ed programs should be putting more emphasis on safety and defensive driving if the roads are that bad. Where I live, you take your life in your hands if you're on the road around the high schools when school lets out. The kids drive as if the only thing they know about driving is where the gas pedal is.

[trussell]

I can appreciate your position on this...but...do you have anything to say compassionate for the FReeper who lost a beloved young friend?

[trussell]

Thank you for your beautiful prayer.

Let me be the first to chime in with "Amen"!!

[trussell]

Those numbers are appalling!! Too many deaths!

Thank you for the refreshing outlook on the death of a friend. Especially one so young.

[Dianna]

How very sad this is. Prayers for all the families.

[BlessedBeGod]

Prayers on the way for the souls of the kids, their families, and our FReeper.