Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, August 28, 2018
(JACKSON CO.) - As families and friends mourn the deaths of four teenagers killed in a wreck Saturday night in Cortland, the community is coming together to raise money to help cover funeral expenses.
Several fundraisers have been set up by individuals and local businesses for people to donate to the families of 14-year-old Jenna Helton, 16-year-old Martin Martinez, both of Seymour, and 14-year-old Nevaeh Law and 15-year-old Brittany Watson both of Brownstown.
The teens were helping push a broken-down vehicle back to a nearby home when they were struck from behind by another vehicle around 11 p.m. on Saturday in the 4400 block of State Road 258, in Cortland.
The girls died at the scene, Martinez died while being flown by a medical helicopter to an Indianapolis hospital.
Five other girls were injured and are recovering at area hospitals or have been released.
Seymour High School freshman Aydon Caudill and two of his friends, freshmen Aspen Rhodes and Adelfo Perez-Gonzalez, designed T-shirts and decals in memory of their friends and are taking orders online and at both Seymour High School and Brownstown Central High School, where Law and Watson were freshmen.
Rhodes came up with the image of an angel leading four teenagers, all holding hands, through the night sky to heaven. All four of the students' names are listed. On the back is a pair of angel wings with the date they died and the phrase "Your wings were ready...Our hearts were not."
The deadline to order is Sept. 7. The cost is $15 for short sleeve, $20 for long sleeve and an additional $5 for larger sizes. Decals are $8. Order forms were distributed at both Seymour and Brownstown Central high schools.
All money raised from the sales will go to the families of the deceased. The public can contact Lisa Crowe at 812-760-3549 to place an order.
Taco Bell in Seymour has organized a car wash from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot to raise money to pay funeral expenses for employee Martin Martinez.
A benefit event for Martinez's family is scheduled for 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday at the American Legion Annex in Seymour. There will be live bands, raffles and a silent auction. Monetary donations or donations of items to raffle and auction off can be made at the American Legion, 414 W. Second St., Seymour.
Cricket Wireless, 600 E. Tipton St., Seymour, is accepting donations for the families of all those affected.
Rails Craft Brew and Eatery, 114 St. Louis Ave., Seymour, also is getting involved. From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 5, the restaurant will donate all proceeds to all of the families.
Several family members and friends have started online fundraising pages to help with funeral expenses. People can make donations at the following sites:
For Brittany Watson: https://www.gofundme.com/brittany-watson
For Nevaeh Law: http://www.woodlawnfamilyfuneral.com/obituaries/Nevaeh-A-Law?obld=3249618#/tributeFundTab
For Jenna Helton: https://www.facebook.com/donate/283328285815854/2262220613806974/
For Martin Martinez: https://www.gofundme.com/e4npf-martin-martinez
Information Seymour Tribune, http://www.tribtown.com
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