The school system has reported that a 17-year-old student from Gibson City Melvin Sibley High School has passed away following a car accident on Tuesday, May 30, 2023.
Colin Kristensen, a student at GCMS, was died in an accident in rural Ford County the day before, according to Jeremy Darnell, the superintendent of Gibson City Melvin Sibley Schools, who made the announcement on the district’s Facebook page on Wednesday. Kristensen, according to Darnell, was a rising senior at the high school.
“Colin was an amazing young man who was active in a diverse set of activities from athletics, Agriculture, and FFA, and was incredibly talented in the technical aspects of our performing arts programs,” Darnell said. “The family, students, staff, and community are shocked and saddened by the sudden loss.”
According to representatives of the Ford County Sheriff’s Office, Kristensen was killed in a collision that occurred at the intersection of County Roads 500 East and 1200 North, southeast of Sibley. According to their findings, Kristensen was operating his Ram pickup on County Road 500 East heading north when he lost control, went into the ditch, and collided with a power pole.
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After hitting the pole, the truck turned over multiple times, causing Kristensen to be ejected from the vehicle. He passed away at the scene of the collision, according to medical officials, from his wounds.
“The GCMS community always rises to the occasion to support our children and families, and we want to thank everyone who has already reached out to do so,” Darnell added. “We ask that everyone respects the privacy and grieving process of the family and those closest to Colin.”
Kristensen’s death comes just one year after the death of fellow GCMS student Colin Bane. He too died at the age of 17 in a car crash, which happened in McLean County on May 18, 2022.
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