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Community members stepping up to help families of crash victims

Community members are stepping up to the plate to help the families of four teens killed Friday night in a Lower Towamensing Township crash.

Funds have been set up to help pay for funeral costs.While police have not officially released names of the deceased, the fund have been set up in memory of Nathan and Courtney Murray, who were brother and sister, Michael Muniz and Austin Hunsicker.The links are as follows:http://www.gofundme.com/j4sy24 (Nathan and Courtney Murray)https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/y327 (Michael Muniz)https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/dy17 (Austin Hunsicker)Combined, the campaigns had already raised almost $4,000 by noon on Sunday.On Nathan and Courtney's page, Melissa Hollenbach described her children as “amazing, vibrant angels.”They range in age from 13-17 years old, according to police.Lehighton School District officials said counselors were on hand from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday.Autopsies on the four teenagers are scheduled for Monday, according to the Carbon County Coroner's office.One vigil was held Saturday night in Palmerton Borough park, with another scheduled for all of the teens on Monday at 7 p.m.Organizer Amy Dailey said coffee, hot chocolate and candles will be available.A separate bank account will also be set up for donations.The two-car crash happened around 8:30 p.m., state police said.The four teens were in a 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 headed west on Dairy Road, about a half-mile west of Golf Road, when the vehicle crossed into the eastbound lane and collided with a 1996 Buick Skylark driven by Stacey Pedigree, 18, of Lehighton.Pedigree and her passenger, 22-year-old Tim Shiner, of Palmerton, escaped the fiery wreckage, but were taken to an area hospital for treatment.Both vehicles flipped and caught fire after impact.The Cavalier also struck a tree and, according to police, was torn in half.All of the Cavalier's occupants were pronounced dead at the scene.Police said speed was a factor in the crash.