Teens killed in Clinton Co. crash 5th, 6th deaths in Clinton-Massie HS community since Thanksgiving

CHESTER TWP., Clinton County — Correction: A previous version of this story indicated the Clinton-Massie High School community has lost six students to deaths since Thanksgiving. School leaders later clarified there have been six deaths involving community members, including parents. Two parents died after health issues and a third died in a car crash. The fourth death was Robyn Birzer, 20, of Blanchester killed in the fiery I-75 crash Dec. 2.

Two Clinton-Massie High students killed in a crash this week on state Route 73 in Chester Twp. are the fifth and sixth community members of the school to lose their lives since Thanksgiving, Superintendent Matt Baker said Wednesday in a letter he sent to the family members of the victims and the school community.

Rosalinda Mendoza, 18, of Clarksville, and her passenger Prezzleigh Goldie, 15, died at the scene of a crash Tuesday that occurred about 6 p.m., the Ohio State Highway Patrol said early Wednesday.

>> State Troopers release identity of driver killed in I-75 multi vehicle crash

According to the preliminary investigation, Mendoza was driving west on 73 near Williams Road when she lost control of her Scion hatchback, traveled off the right side of the road, overcorrected and traveled left of the center, slamming into a Honda Passport.

The driver of that car, 23-year-old Alayna Carson, and her 17-year-old passenger suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to Green Memorial Hospital.

The crash remains under investigation by the state patrol.

Since Thanksgiving, three parents, a recent Clinton-Massie graduate, and Mendoza and Goldie have all passed away, school leaders said in a letter to parents and further statements to News Center 7. Two parents died from health issues while a third parent died in a car crash.

The fourth death was Robyn Birzer, 20, of Blanchester, who was identified as the victim killed in the Dec. 2 fiery crash on I-75 at I-70 that closed the highway down for hours.

>>RELATED: Blanchester native identified as victim of deadly, fiery crash on I-75 in Butler Twp.

Wednesday, Superintendent Baker sent the Clinton-Massie High School community a letter:

Dear Falcon Family Member,

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.

This most recent loss comes on the heels of four other Falcon Family Members that have been lost since Thanksgiving Day. We have said goodbye to parents of students, as well as former students as recently as this past weekend. We will continue to be a resource for our community of Falcon Family Members no matter what need arises. Please reach out to us if you feel your child or your family has a need we can assist in solving.

I leave you with a couple last thoughts. Hug someone a little tighter tonight. Stop and call that friend you haven’t talked to in awhile. Say thank you to those around you. Unfortunately we are not promised tomorrow, so make today count. Thank you for all the support that has been offered so far and the support that will be used in the near future. Please send thoughts and prayers to the families that have experienced loss in these last three weeks.

We will update this story as new information becomes available.

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