CLINTON COUNTY — A two-vehicle accident on State Route 73 claimed the lives of two Clinton-Massie High School students Tuesday evening, according to the Wilmington Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP).
The OSHP preliminary investigation showed that at approximately 6:07 p.m., a 2005 Scion Hatchback, driven by Rosalinda Mendoza, 18, of Clarksville, was heading westbound on State Route 73 near Williams Road when she lost control of her vehicle and drove off the right side of the roadway. Her vehicle then reportedly continued back onto the roadway and traveled left of center.
The Scion was struck by a 2022 Honda Passport traveling eastbound.
Mendoza and her passenger — 15-year-old Prezzleigh Goldie — were pronounced dead at the scene, according to OSHP.
The Honda Passport was driven by Alayna Carson, 23, and the front passenger was Natalia Guerrero, 17. They were transported to Green Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Assisting at the crash scene was the Chester Township Fire Department, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office and Clinton County Coroner’s Officer
The crash remains under investigation.
In response to the tragic accident, Clinton-Massie Local Schools Superintendent Matt Baker released a statement Wednesday to district parents:
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I reach out to you today. As many know by now, we tragically lost two Clinton-Massie High School students in a fatal car crash last evening. I cannot begin to tell you the amount of loss and grief we feel for their families, our students, and our staff. Both young ladies were well loved by all of those around them. We will miss their smiles. We will miss the fact that they both were advocates for the underdog, supportive of students in need inside and outside of the classroom. We will continue to mourn their loss as we put the pieces back together of those that have been left changed by their influence. Our local support agencies, surrounding districts, and former employees have all shown up today standing at the ready in order to help grieving students and staff. I am continually amazed with this community and the love that can be expressed at a moment’s notice. Thank you to all that lift up a hand to help whenever we are in need.”
