Columbia School District 4 cancels school for funeral of sophomore who died in crash
Columbia Community Unit School District 4 announced Tuesday that there will be no school Thursday to allow students and staff to grieve the loss of a high school student who died in a single-car crash Sunday and attend his funeral.
“Crawford Bryant was a cherished member of our school community, and his loss will be felt deeply by everyone who knew him. During this difficult time, we ask that you keep Crawford’s family in your thoughts and prayers,” a statement from the district says.
The district has been coordinating with the church on funeral arrangements and is organizing transportation to and from the funeral for students, families and staff.
The funeral will be held at Oerter Park in Columbia, according to a post on Columbia High School’s Facebook page. There will be a gathering at 10 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m.
Byrant was a sophomore and varsity soccer player at Columbia High School.
Hundreds attended a candelight vigil in Columbia Monday evening to honor the memory of Bryant, KSDK reported.
The crash happened around 3 p.m. on Hanover Road, approximately a quarter mile west of Illinois Route 3, according to a Monday morning news release from Illinois State Police.
The state agency is assisting the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department in the ongoing investigation of the crash. Shortly before the crash, a Waterloo police officer saw the car involved traveling at a high rate of speed on Route 3, the release stated.
One person was pronounced dead at the scene by the Monroe County Coroner’s office, according to state police. Another person was airlifted to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries and two other juveniles were transported by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries.
“This tragic incident has profoundly affected multiple families, as well as our dedicated first responders,” Sgt. Justin Biggs of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department wrote in a statement Sunday night. “On behalf of Sheriff Neal Rohlfing, we respectfully request that the public allows time for the grieving process and respects the privacy of those involved.”
This story was originally published September 3, 2024 at 12:57 PM.