They were young. Kathleen Anne “Kitty” Arbona and Lynne Root were two of four teenagers that died together in a tragic Friday night two-car collision at an intersection on Memorial parkway on 18 September 1971. Both were 15 years old at the time and Sophomore classmates of ours. Also killed were Harold Englehardt (19) and John Hughes Jr. (16) (I don’t know if they were also Grissom students?). Three others were hospitalized but survived. I remember the accident in the news, but not very much about our classmates as it was so long ago. Still - way too young. Those of us reading this should thank the Lord for our blessing of longevity and reflect upon those who left us long ago.
I still remember this accident today like it was yesterday. There were five kids in a Ford Mustang and only one survived in the Mustang. The mustang was crossing the parkway on Logan and started to turn onto the parkway but the driver changed their mind and turned into the path of a Cadillac which T-boned the tiny Mustang killing Lynn and three others. James was the lone survivor in the pony. Lynn sat next to me in class and she was a hoot. It was a tuff year at Grissom that year and we lost around a dozen students that year including my brother.
Mike, I remember the accident very well myself. I believe that I am correct in saying that James was in the rear seat (passanger side) and this was the only place that anyone could have survived. Mustangs were not built for safety back then but more for speed. John Hughes was a friend of mine and we had been riding around with him that night in his mustang. He let us out at another friends house on Lilly Flagg across from the pool and told us he was going home. The next morning I got up to go to school and this was on the news. Very tragic.
We all remember this accident well. It stunned the school. Lynne was in my homeroom having a (R) last name. The loss of those 4 kids still is with me today as I will never forget going to Maple Hill years later and seeing one of their graves and thinking they were all just kids and how short life is for all of us unfortunately shorter for some.
It was a terrible accident. I remember talking to people about how dangerous that intersection was. No one has mentioned it but it was no walk in the park for the survivors. I don't remember the name if the driver that was not killed. He was in my American History class. He seemed so alone in his grief. He was also being sued for involuntary manslaughter. My heart went out to him. It was a tragic key word accident. I didn't know any of the people killed very well. I sorry that their family and friends had to go through that. But, I also believe in forgiveness.
J. D. Webster
They were young. Kathleen Anne “Kitty” Arbona and Lynne Root were two of four teenagers that died together in a tragic Friday night two-car collision at an intersection on Memorial parkway on 18 September 1971. Both were 15 years old at the time and Sophomore classmates of ours. Also killed were Harold Englehardt (19) and John Hughes Jr. (16) (I don’t know if they were also Grissom students?). Three others were hospitalized but survived. I remember the accident in the news, but not very much about our classmates as it was so long ago. Still - way too young. Those of us reading this should thank the Lord for our blessing of longevity and reflect upon those who left us long ago.
Susan Simpson (Hinton)
Lynne Root was in my German class the year she died. She was nice and had a good sense of humor. It was very sad.
Joanna Walker (Funkhouser)
John Hughes was also a student at Grissom and a drummer in the band. Sorry, I don't remember which year. I think he was class of 73.
Cindy Linton
Mike Weesner
I still remember this accident today like it was yesterday. There were five kids in a Ford Mustang and only one survived in the Mustang. The mustang was crossing the parkway on Logan and started to turn onto the parkway but the driver changed their mind and turned into the path of a Cadillac which T-boned the tiny Mustang killing Lynn and three others. James was the lone survivor in the pony. Lynn sat next to me in class and she was a hoot. It was a tuff year at Grissom that year and we lost around a dozen students that year including my brother.
Harry Garber
Mike, I remember the accident very well myself. I believe that I am correct in saying that James was in the rear seat (passanger side) and this was the only place that anyone could have survived. Mustangs were not built for safety back then but more for speed. John Hughes was a friend of mine and we had been riding around with him that night in his mustang. He let us out at another friends house on Lilly Flagg across from the pool and told us he was going home. The next morning I got up to go to school and this was on the news. Very tragic.
Jim Record
We all remember this accident well. It stunned the school. Lynne was in my homeroom having a (R) last name. The loss of those 4 kids still is with me today as I will never forget going to Maple Hill years later and seeing one of their graves and thinking they were all just kids and how short life is for all of us unfortunately shorter for some.
Suzi Howard (DeGennaro)
It was a terrible accident. I remember talking to people about how dangerous that intersection was. No one has mentioned it but it was no walk in the park for the survivors. I don't remember the name if the driver that was not killed. He was in my American History class. He seemed so alone in his grief. He was also being sued for involuntary manslaughter. My heart went out to him. It was a tragic key word accident. I didn't know any of the people killed very well. I sorry that their family and friends had to go through that. But, I also believe in forgiveness.