"We want to support our students:" Counselors available in Watertown after crash killed two boys
WATERTOWN -- Thursday, October 8th was another difficult day for students at Watertown High School. This, just one day after two 17-year-old boys were killed in an early-morning crash following a pursuit, and three other young people were injured. We're told all five of those involved in the crash have connections to Watertown High School -- and one of the two boys who died was a current student at the school.
Fatal crash in Watertown
"When you have a tragedy of this nature, many different people are going to be affected," Cassandra Schug, Watertown School District superintendent said.
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. They have been identified as 17-year-old Donovan Cagney and 17-year-old Bradley Chavez.
Superintendent Schug tells FOX6 News three young women were injured in the crash -- including two former Watertown High School students, and one current ninth-grader.
Watertown High School
"We want to make sure that the families have the time and opportunity to grieve, and then we want to also support our students as they work through their grieving process, so it`s a balancing act," Schug said.
One which has the district's student services team playing a key role, Schug explains. Counseling is being offered to students as needed.
To that end, counselors will be available on Thursday, October 8th from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the WHS Library to provide resources on coping with grief.
Students and parents/guardians are encouraged to contact the Student Services Office at (920) 262-7500 to speak to a counselor.
Memorial for victims killed in crash in Watertown
"If we find that there`s an increased need, in terms of what sorts of supports people need from the school district, we will certainly work together to figure out what supports we could additionally offer," Schug said.
Schug says teachers at Watertown High School have been given a list of behaviors to monitor -- understanding that some of them may indicate a student is struggling with the grieving process.
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.
Officials have not commented on the reason for the chase.
On Wednesday evening, a vigil was held to remember those who lost their lives in this crash.
Friends remember teens killed in crash in Watertown