Community Mourns Teens Killed in Car Crash

 
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METROPOLIS– Two young athletes are killed after a car crash in Massac County.

Police say 14 year-old McKenzee Castaneda and 17 year-old Josh Woods died, after the car they were in collided with another vehicle.

It happened Saturday night on route 145, just outside of Metropolis.

Police say there are no indications that alcohol played a part in this crash. Actually, they say it’s not clear why Josh Woods pulled his car out in front of another car–leading to the accident

Both Woods and Castaneda were budding young athletes.

McKenzee Castaneda was a popular girl who had a knack for sports.

"She was an excellent setter as far as volleyball goes, but she was multi-talented" says Zach MillerI. "I believe she played short-stop on the softball team and they got second in the state."

Her volley-ball coach Zach Miller says he found out about her death from other girls on the team– all of them torn up over this loss.

"A few of my volleyball players gave me a call and just let me know. Obviously they were in tears and hurt by it" says Miller.

Players on the Massac County foot-ball team are also mourning the loss of one of their own- Josh Woods.

"We met with the team Monday morning at 8:30" says football coach Kelly Glass. "Of course that was the question- Why coach? Or what do we do now coach?"

Josh Woods wore jersey number 55. His coach says he wasn’t the type of player who you’d hear about in the news for making touchdowns, but he was a team player

"He was a line-backer. He played defense. The neat thing about football is you need a bunch of kids like that too."

At the scene of the accident on 145, members of the community have placed crosses in remembrance of the two teens killed.

It could be a while before this city moves on.

"Every time we take the court, we’re always going to remember and always wonder" says Miller.

There was another teen in the car driven by Woods– 16 year-old Jordan Pennell. We’re told he received major injuries and was taken to a hospital in Cape Girardeau. No word on his condition.

The driver of the second car– 28 year-old Colin Smith– received only minor injuries.

A visitation is scheduled for Castaneda at the Brookport Church of God Tuesday night from five to nine.
The funeral is at one on Wednesday also at the church.

Arrangements have not yet been made for Josh Woods. We’re told that’s because he is an organ donor.