SYCAMORE - A Mohawk High School senior was killed in a car accident Tuesday morning, less than two weeks before commencement.
According to Wyandot County Sheriff's Office, Audrey M. Perkins, 18, of Upper Sandusky, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident on CH 16, east of CH 136, in Sycamore Township. She had been driving a 2000 Hyundai Sonata westbound on CH 16 when she lost control, drove off the right side of the road and struck a utility pole, it states.
According to the sheriff's office, it received a 911 call about a vehicle that had struck a pole in the 1000 block of CH 16 at 7:56 a.m. Tuesday. Upon arrival at the scene, deputies saw a vehicle that appeared to have been torn in half. It appeared Perkins had been ejected from the vehicle, according to the sheriff's office.
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PHOTO BY JILL GOSCHE
Balloons float away Tuesday evening during a candlelight vigil for Audrey Perkins, a Mohawk High School senior killed in an accident that morning.
Lt. Neil Riedlinger said he believed Perkins was running late for school, and he did not know why she lost control of her vehicle.
"Speed may have been a factor," he said.
Perkins was set to graduate from Mohawk May 26, and an aunt, Jessica Bloom, said she had planned to pass out her graduation invitations at school Tuesday.
Superintendent Ken Ratliff said there was a great deal of sadness in the building and many tears were shed by staff and students Tuesday.
"She was loved. ... She'll be fondly remembered and sorely missed," he said.
Ratliff said officials allowed students to do what they needed to do, such as cry, hug and talk.
"We brought counselors in from area schools. ... Their presence here was helpful," he said.
The district canceled its softball game Tuesday evening, while its senior recognition program went on as planned. Ratliff said officials had considered rescheduling it, but seniors opted to have the program as scheduled.
He recalled them saying, "We want to come together tonight."
A candlelight vigil followed the awards program. People walked to the track, carrying balloons and candles.
Bloom and Carol Lofay, another aunt, attended the memorial. Lofay said Perkins knew which direction she was headed and was full of life.
"(She was) just a good kid all around," she said.
Perkins was a sprinter and hurdler on the track team and was a member of the choir.
Ratliff described her as a goal-oriented and strong-willed person who spoke her mind and always was willing to help other students. She had planned to enter the U.S. Marines, he said.
"She had a bright future ahead of her," he said.
