(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Four northwest suburban high school students killed in a traffic crash this week were remembered at an emotional vigil Thursday morning.
Dozens of Buffalo Grove High School students and school staff showed up for the vigil at Dundee and Schoenbeck Roads in Wheeling where the crash happened Tuesday night.
Most stood quietly staring at a memorial of flowers, holy candles, pictures and heart-shaped balloons. Some cried. Others hugged each other.
Buffalo Grove High School principal Jeff Wardle was among those who paid their respects.
“The pain has been almost unbearable the last couple of days but, I think as you see, we are coming together and that it’s an incredible community,” he said.
Despite there being no classes Wednesday and Thursday because of a fire this week at Buffalo Grove High School, counselors have been available to students. Classes resume Friday. Wardle says more counselors and social workers from the district will be on-hand for anyone who wants to talk.
Wheeling police say 16-year old Jesus Rodriguez, 18-year old Richard De-Ita and 17-year-olds Ricky Barcenas and Kevin Hernandez-Teran were killed and a fifth teenager was injured when their speeding car went through a red light and hit two other cars late Tuesday night. The drivers of the two other vehicles were also injured.
Lenny Lawrecki works with Kevin Hernandez-Teran’s mother.
“We heard the news, and it was just a tragedy, so we’re out here, get this vigil going and we’re here to support her; said a prayer and love for her.”
Wardle said the school has reached out to each of the families to let them know the support the school has for each of them.
GoFundMe pages have been set up by the families of the teens to help cover their funeral costs.
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