Friends gather to remember teens killed in crash, one a Watertown H.S. student: "Too young to die"



WATERTOWN -- FOX6 News has learned five people with connections to Watertown High School, including two current students, were involved in a crash that followed a pursuit in Watertown early Wednesday morning, October 7th. One of two people killed in the crash was a student at the school.

Fatal crash in Watertown



Those killed in the crash have been identified as: 17-year-old Donovan Cagney and 17-year-old Bradley Chavez.

The three people injured in this crash were juvenile females, according to the Sheriff's Office.

FOX6 News has obtained a letter written to parents and guardians of students at Watertown High School from Principal William Loss.

That letter reads as follows:

"Parents/Guardians,

This morning we received tragic news. We regret to inform you that five individuals with connections to Watertown High School, including two current WHS students, were involved in a car crash on Wednesday morning, October 7, 2015. Two of the individuals involved, including one WHS student, have died. At this time we have not been authorized to release the names of those involved.

Currently, we have counselors from throughout the district, including school psychologists and social workers, on hand to meet with students as needed. Be assured that we will do everything we can to assist students with their grieving process. If you notice that your student is struggling with the loss of his or her classmate, please feel free to contact Student Services at Watertown High School so that we can provide them the support needed.

We also want to help our parents and guardians. To that end, our counselors will be available on Thursday, October 8th from 5:30-7:00pm in the WHS Library to provide resources on coping with grief. Please feel free to attend at any time during this time frame. Alternatively, feel free to contact our Student Services Office at 920-262-7500 and speak to one of our counselors.

If we can be of assistance in any other way, please let us know.

Sincerely,

William R. Loss

WHS Principal"


According to Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 1:57 a.m., an officer initiated and conducted a traffic stop on County Road E near County Road P in the Town of Ixonia. At approximately 2:13 a.m., the driver of the vehicle fled from the traffic stop at a high rate of speed, northbound on County Road E toward Watertown.



As the vehicle entered Watertown, the driver lost control on a slight curve on Concord Drive near Richards Avenue and crashed into a tree near Brian Court. The driver and front seat passenger were both killed.

Again, according to the principal at Watertown High School, one of those killed was a student at the school.

Three other passengers were transported to area medical facilities.

Fatal crash in Watertown



Responding units from the Watertown Police Department, Fire, EMS and the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office arrived on scene to assist with medical needs and incident control.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has turned over the investigation to the Wisconsin State Patrol Crash Reconstruction Team and the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office is also involved.

Officials have not commented on the reason for the chase.

FOX6 News found waves of people coming to Concord Avenue near Brian Court to pay their respects for those who lost their lives in this crash.

"I love them both like family. They were too young to die," Brianna Roraff said.

Friends remember teens killed in crash in Watertown



"I really hope the families can get some answers and I really do hope the best for all the families," Tyler Jenkins said.

"They would always have smiles on their faces -- even when they had their own stuff going on. They would just be there for everybody else through everything," Emily Eppler said.

On Wednesday evening, a vigil was held to remember those who lost their lives in this crash.

"I'm hurt. I had to lose two good friends," Thomas Berget said.

"I'm just not really accepting the fact they're gone," Taylor Podlesnik said. "I didn't think I'd wake up in the morning and not have them. I took their friendship for granted. I didn't think they'd be gone. I just saw them yesterday."

"There's all kinds of rumors going around and nobody really knows the story yet," Berget said. "People pass away and you're going to miss them, but you'll see them eventually -- whether in your dreams or in your memories or the things you do, they will always be there."

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.