Community reacts to fatal Fairfield accident

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by Dara Newson

Story Created: Oct 21, 2012 at 10:04 PM CDT

Story Updated: Oct 21, 2012 at 11:06 PM CDT

Friday night a car crash near Fairfield killed an 18 year old female, Casie Gibbs, and sent three other teenagers and one adult male to the hospital.

Two days after the accident, the communities of Clay Center and Fairfield are mourning the loss of Gibbs.

News 5's Dara Newson has the story.

Skid marks, broken glass, and debris still remain at the tragic scene of Hwy 74 near Fairfield.

According to the Clay County Sheriff's Office, 18 year old Casie Gibbs who attended Sandy Creek High School, was driving northbound on Road O when she collided with a pick-up headed eastbound on Hwy 74.

"It's going to be hard for the community to heal and its going to take some time," said Blair Willard.

Willard was an acquaintance of Gibbs, who died at the scene.

"She was a real big part of the community, at a lot of the community functions and there's going to be a lot of people mourning," Willard added.

Three other teenagers in the vehicle at the time of the accident were taken to the hospital. Two were treated and released, while one remains in critical condition.

The driver of the pick-up, Kenneth Schuck of Edgar, was also treated and released from Mary Lanning.

The accident happened at this intersection of Hwy 74 and Road O. It's a night many will never forget.

Sandy Creek High School is just one mile down the road and the football game was going on at the same time the accident occurred.

Many refer to the Country Store Clerk as "Momma Joy."

Momma Joy says the store is the hang out spot for school kids and a place where Gibbs frequented.

"She was a good kid, good hearted," said Joy. "She would do anything and everything for you."

Other community members say Gibbs was fun-loving, career driven and talented in the arts and music.

Beth Nacke knows another victim involved in the accident, who is in critical condition.

"I didn't know Casie but I know all her classmates," said Nacke. "This is a devastating time for everybody. God needed her to do a different work, but not here."

A crisis team will be available at Sandy Creek High School for counseling services all week long.

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