A Michigan teen died in a car accident just days after graduating from high school.
Aiden Alexander, 18, died Thursday, May 29, while driving his younger sister Halen, 16, home from school, according to KOLD-TV.
According to the outlet, a vehicle veered into the siblings’ lane and collided with their car head-on.
Police told KOLD-TV that the other driver, a 68-year-old man, was critically injured in the collision. Officials are actively investigating the accident.
Aiden had just graduated on May 18, according to WNEM-TV.
His sister survived the accident.
“It’s tough,” Pinconning Area Schools Superintendent Andy Kowalczyk told KOLD-TV. “[Aiden and Halen] were very respectful students; students that you’d like to have in your class.”
The superintendent stated that he is fostering a safe environment for students to express their feelings in the aftermath of the loss.
“Talking to people, that others are going through it too, and not to be ashamed to go talk to a counselor because they can really help,” he told me. “They know how to support students and how to get through some of these grieving processes.”
On Sunday, June 1, people contacted Pinconning Area Schools and the Bay County Sheriff’s Department for more information, but received no immediate response.
Kowalczyk also expressed his condolences to the Alexander family, saying, “We are thinking of them.” You know, the entire school is rooting for them.
A GoFundMe page has been established to help the family. So far, it has raised over $19,000.
“Aiden was sent to heaven, and Halen is in critical care with many surgeries ahead of her,” the GoFundMe description read. “The family is devastated and heartbroken.
We hope to raise funds to cover any expenses that the family may incur during this time. “Moose, their family dog, was also taken away from them.”
According to KOLD-TV, the dog was in the car when it crashed.
Aiden and Halen’s cousin, Monica Rabie, told the outlet that Halen is unaware that her brother has died.
“I’d say she’s very out of it.” She is unaware of who has passed. They’ve told her a few times, but she’s not ready to understand,” she explained.
The cousin also revealed Aidan’s big plans for after graduation, saying he was “just about to start life, a big life.”
“He was ready for job interviews; he had just received his license.” He was heavily involved in church and had a long-term girlfriend. “He always wanted everyone else to be laughing,” Rabie explained.
