In the early morning hours of May 19, 2012 an accident occurred on the Mississippi River involving 12 very close friends.
After a party on a sandbar, two boats collided. Eight were injured and four lost their lives. In the hours following this horrifying accident, these kids searched, cried and mourned the loss of their friends. They held each other up and held up the families of those who were injured or lost.
They became known in our community as the River Rats 12 and people rallied together to help them and their families. Strangers organized benefits to help with medical expenses and they offered support emotionally to help them deal with grief.
It has been just over 6 months and not a day goes by that these kids don't miss and mourn their friends. Not a day goes by that they don't deal with the consequences of what happened to them that night. The horror of that night-a horror that we will never be able to imagine-encompasses them daily!
This week, more devastation has struck this group of young people.
The drivers of the boats have been charged in this accident. They face up to 45 years in prison, if convicted!