Vigil held for teens involved in fatal wreck

BENTON, AR – Hundreds of students from Bryant, Benton, and Bauxite gathered at the Benton High School football field to pray for their fellow classmates who were involved in deadly wreck Wednesday morning.

Drew Melton, a senior softball player for Benton, lost her life when a car she was a passenger in ran off of North Lake Road and crashed into the woods. Melton and four other teens were ejected from the car in the accident.

The extent of the injuries to the survivors is not entirely known, although all are expected to survive. The driver was airlifted to Arkansas Children’s Hospital with a broken pelvis. Another passenger, Bryant QB Hayden Lessenberry, has a broken shoulder.

"What's important is that they're alive and what we need to do now is not only pray for Drew and her family and her friends but remember them and what they're going through,” says senior Alicia Sandage. “They're going to suffer, but they're going to live and that's what's important right now."

Those in attendance, three rival high schools from the same county, say they will lean on each other for support and trust their prayers are heard tonight, giving thanks for the love and comfort of their friends and fellow students.

“God has a plan and God has a time and it was her time and we all know that he gained a beautiful wonderful funny, awesome girl," said Sandage.

Benton students are making and selling bracelets to help the Melton family with funeral costs.