June 10, 2008:

Beau Dodson Photograph…

News Channel Six Story

http://www.wpsdtv.com/mostpopular/story.aspx?content_id=7b30d66f-f118-46ae-b741-d73c5ad372dd

A community is in mourning over the loss of two teenagers.

17 year old Joshua Woods and 14 year old McKenzee Castaneda, both from Metropolis, Illinois, were killed over the weekend in a car crash.

Police say the car Woods was driving pulled into the path of a truck on Powers Church Road and Highway 145 in Massac County Saturday evening.

A third passenger in the car, 16 year old Jordan Pannell was taken to the hospital and is listed in stable condition.

Friends and family say the two young athletes were already looking forward to the coming school year.

Softball was a big part of the lives of McKenzee Castaneda and her friends since the time they were in second grade. Madison Stephens says teammates relied on McKenzee’s batting skills.

Her friends hoped bigger games were ahead.

“We were ready for high school.  We were going to go at it all of us together, but I know she’s going to be still cheering us on up there when we’re in high school.  We’re gonna miss our cleanup hitter,” said Stephens.

Another team grieves for Joshua Woods.  His football coach called a team meeting this morning.

“It is very sad when a person has their whole life ahead of them,” said Coach Glass.

 Coach Glass mentored Joshua for three years.  He says the reason he coaches is to have the opportunity to know players like him.

Friends have marked the crash site with flowers and crosses and a placard for McKenzee remembering her eyes and her smile. Another type of memorial is in the works.  Madison and her teammates are organizing one last softball game after McKenzee’s funeral dedicated to their friend.

“We’re going to try to keep our spirits up like she was there.  It’s going to be really bad, upsetting to play but hopefully not too bad,” said Stephens.

“We’ve all been here together for a long time, and that’s a very true phenomenon here at Massac.  We win together, and we lose together, and we hurt together, and that’s what’s going on right now,” said Coach Glass.

A Castaneda family friend is handling funeral arrangements at Pyle Funeral Home in Johnston City.

Visitation will be at the Brookport Church of God from 5 to 9pm Tuesday night. The funeral service is at 1pm Wednesday at the church.

McKenzee will be buried in Otterbein Cemetery in Pope County. Memorials may be sent to the Brookport Church of God youth group.

Funeral arrangements for Joshua Woods are still being finalized.