'Our hearts are broken'
The community is mourning the loss of two of its best and brightest, Taylor Denyse Shepherdson, 16, and Jasmine Fonseca, 15, the cheerleaders who died in a two-vehicle crash on Route 903 as they headed home from practice at Jim Thorpe Area High School on Thursday night.
The best friends, both of Towamensing Trails, were riding in a mini-van when the crash happened during a rainstorm.State police at Fern Ridge are investigating the crash.Police said the crash happened at 8:55 p.m. when the 2005 Chevrolet Uplander driven by Tegan Kane, 18, of Albrightsville, lost control near the intersection with Weiler Road.The van crossed over into the southbound lane of Route 903.A 2013 Buick Enclave, driven by Verner Drohan, 76, of Fulton, New York, was traveling southbound and hit the Uplander in 3 o’clock position.The Uplander ended up on the right shoulder of the southbound lane. The Enclave stopped in the southbound lane.Multiple passengers were ejected from the Uplander. Shepherdson and Fonseca died at the scene.Kane, Drohan and a passenger from the Enclave, Gail Drohan, 72, of Fulton, New York, were transported by ambulance to Lehigh Valley – Cedar Crest. Police said Gail Drohan had major injuries. Kane and Verner Drohan had moderate injuries.Passengers in the Uplander were taken by ambulance to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center for treatment. They included a male from Albrightsville, age not known, with a major injury; a 17-year-old boy from Albrightsville in serious condition, and a 15-year-old boy from Lehighton with a major injury.Police were assisted by Penn Forest Fire Company, Lehighton Ambulance, Pocono Ambulance, All Points Towing and state police at Lehighton. The investigation is continuing.With students ready to resume classes on Wednesday, the Jim Thorpe Area School District has been shaken.“The Jim Thorpe Area School District is deeply saddened by this tragedy. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and their families. Our Olympian family is offering support to our students and school community with the assistance of our counselors, administration, teachers, staff members, community members and faith-based organizations. As a community, we will offer continued support throughout these difficult times,” said Superintendent Brian J. Gasper.At the high school, Principal Tom Lesisko said counselors were on hand to help students and staff cope with their shock and grief.“It’s just such a great loss to our school. Our students are the lifeblood of our educational system,” he said. “There is no explaining it, no understanding it. We must just get through it. We’ve had counselors here this morning for anyone who needs assistance, and we will have counselors at Penn-Kidder. This is such a shock for everyone.”Taylor and Jasmine were well-known for their energy and positive attitudes, Lesisko said.“They had bright smiles and brought great enthusiasm and spirit to the school,” he said.The start of classes Wednesday won’t be easy.“It will be a tough day to get through. Students will get back and be looking for their friends and won’t see those faces,” Lesisko said.Those who knew Taylor and Jasmine are grieving.Autumn Michlovsky, a junior at Jim Thorpe, said, “I didn’t know either of the girls well, but I did have gym with Taylor last year and I remember everyone had a free day and Taylor accidentally ran into me and it was just kind of funny. She apologized and all that, but I wasn’t mad. She was so beautiful — they both were, it’s so unfair that life took them too young.“My thoughts and condolences to their families. Everyone stay strong.”Alyssa Parramore of Jim Thorpe said she went to the high school and saw many banners and letters left in memory of the girls.“You had no idea how loved and adored you were,” Parramore said about Fonseca.“Just yesterday we were talking and joking around and now you’re gone and don’t know what to do.“I’m gonna make you so proud I promise. You’ll forever be in my heart, babygirl. Thanks for all the amazing memories and all the smiles you have put on my face.”Parramore added, “It brings peace to me knowing you got your best friend with you to keep cheering. I bet you have the prettiest set of wings.”A GoFundMe page has been set up to help pay Taylor’s funeral expenses. Within six hours, it had raised $4,135. The page can be accessed at