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News for Thursday, February 28, 2002
Second teen dies; students show both
their support, sorrow
The following are partial stories appearing in today's Daily Press.
GLADSTONE A second Delta County teen is dead following a car-semi accident Tuesday evening in Gladstone. Timothy Wotchko, 17, died late Wednesday morning at St. Vincentıs Hospital in Green Bay, according to public safety officers. The Rapid River High School junior was a passenger in a car driven by Gladstone High School sophomore Chelsey Hewitt, 16, Escanaba Township. Hewitt died at the scene. They had been enroute to a basketball game at Gladstone High School when the Ford Escort Hewitt was driving was hit broadside by a semi. Tim was a great kid said Rapid River basketball coach Jerry Collins. Collins coached Wotchko for the past three years. ³He was a very respectful individual and a hard worker. Hell be greatly missed by all, including his teammates, Collins said. Police say Hewitt pulled out of a side street near the Cameron Elementary School around 6:40 p.m. into the path of a semi. Semi driver Larry Dugree, 37, Hermansville, was not injured. His eastbound semi was carrying a load of wood chips. Wotchko was taken to St. Francis Hospital and later transferred to St. Vincentıs Hospital in Green Bay. Rapid River School Superintendent Kent Swinson said Wotchko had a positive effect on the entire student body. He showed it through being a leader in the class, Swinson said. He was both a student and a student athlete. He led by example instead of by word, which I think is very important. Rapid River Principal Karen Lundquist said Wotchko was an excellent student and an excellent role model. He was
one of the elementary PE assistants for grades one through five and the kids loved him, she said. They are having a very difficult time today as is everyone.Lundquist said the school wants to support the family in any way possible. We all mourn together at this point in time, she said. Rapid River High School began both Wednesday and Thursday with staff meetings to keep everyone informed. We wanted them to have the correct information, Swinson said. Teachers are our direct link and support for the students - not only teachers but our entire staff. Counselors through the ISD and Pathways, as well as local clergy, have been available at Rapid River and Gladstone high schools, helping students with the grieving process. It takes time and everybody goes through it a little different, Swinson said. We wanted to make sure we had resources available to them.
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