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 SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2010 3:35 pm |
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Local News 
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Girl's death in car crash stuns Granite Falls Shaylynn Wietersen, who died after a car crash outside town, was a friend to many in the community. GRANITE FALLS — The news spread in a flood of text messages on Tuesday night.Shaylynn Wietersen, a bright-eyed girl known for her quick smile, was dead. Carload by carload, friends began visiting the site of the fatal car wreck on Burn Road. Many brought symbols of their grief: A candle burning slowly in a glass jar, a teddy bear, dozens of roses. Those who knew the Granite Falls High School sophomore said she was a rarity — the type of girl who moved easily among social strata, who was friends with softball players and pierced guitarists alike. “Seeing her at school, she was always really happy,” Destiny Briones, 18, said. “She made people smile.” Shaylynn, 16, was riding in a Jeep Cherokee that collided with a Toyota 4Runner about 7 a.m. Tuesday, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Rebecca Hover said. The Toyota was attempting to pass the Jeep on the two-lane road, Hover said. Investigators are trying to determine whether speed and improper passing contributed to the accident. Shaylynn was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, but died later that day, Hover said. Shaylynn’s brother, Brian Wietersen, 17, was driving the Jeep to school when the crash occurred a few miles from campus, officials said. He suffered minor injuries. A 17-year-old boy who was driving the Toyota reportedly suffered no injuries, Hover said. School officials broke the news to students during first period on Wednesday, and also sent an e-mail and letter to parents. “The hard part is in a small community they do know who she is,” said Granite Falls High School principal Eric Cahan. “They do know her brother. They do know her mother. They know they are a real nice family.” Students created an orange and black fleece blanket — the school colors — for Shaylynn’s family. Dozens wrote condolence messages on the orange cloth. Teachers also were shaken by the news. Trudy Sullivan taught Shaylynn in a graphic design class. The teenager was creative and imaginative, proud to have recently won a class competition to design a flier for the high school food drive. “She was just a very kind and compassionate person,” Sullivan said. “She was wonderful in all ways.” Shaylynn transferred to Granite Falls from Santa Clara, Calif., in the seventh grade. She played softball her freshman year and was dating the guitarist of a local alternative rock band. For the next several days, the school district plans to have staff members and mental health professionals available to work with students at the high school and at Crossroads Alternative High School, where Shaylynn also had friends, district spokeswoman Kathy Grant said. A memorial service is in the works, but information may not be available for a few days, Grant said. Friends already are memorializing Shaylynn. Shortly after school on Wednesday, several groups stopped by the Burn Road crash site. Some cried. Others left bouquets. A few just stood quietly in the bitter cold. Shaylynn made an impression on all of them, including Kalee McFall. Kalee, 18, met Shaylynn just three weeks ago, right after Kalee’s own birthday. The two bonded immediately. “She was just an amazing person,” Kalee said. “She was and will always be the best birthday present I’ve ever gotten.” Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455, arathbun@heraldnet.com. |
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COMMENTS
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Is the Herald going to print the details of this accident? I believe there was another vehicle involved and bad driving was suspected. There have been other deaths of young people in Granite where the person responsible was never charged because they were obviously sad and remorseful about what they had done. It is still a crime to accidentally kill someone especially when it is through their negligence.
ed209 | Dec 17, 2009 6:45 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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Shaylynn! i will always remember you. I'm sorry i wasn't there for the past year i missed you tremendously. you always made my mood better than it was. i will never forget you. like the time you came over to my house and snuck over cause my mom wouldn't let us hang out. i wish i didn't let you walk home alone i still feel bad. and when we took that sign what a classic. girl i would do anything for you your sweetest girl i ever met. i wish the best for your whole family may you rest in our hearts. thanks for all you did for me. I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU SHAYLYNN!
shawnie deisher | Dec 14, 2009 12:06 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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My message goes out to Donna, Shaylynn's mom and my dear friend. My heart is broken for you. I'm so glad you have a good church family in your community but I wish I could be there for you. We miss you in Santa Clara and Shaylynn's sudden death has made a huge impact on us. We send you prayers to find comfort in our Lord and Savior.
Jeanette Ingalls | Dec 13, 2009 11:28 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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God bless and comfort the Wietersen family. Shaylynn was a wonderful, sparkling joy with lots of kick! Loved having her as a young girl in our church and Brian and Donna, as well. Our hearts go out to you and we pray for God's peace and love to surround you.
Sheryl Tollerud | Dec 13, 2009 3:33 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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Shaylynn: at one point in my life you were like a sister to me. I saw you everday, and argued with you almost every other
rachel kitchen | Dec 12, 2009 11:16 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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Shaylynn, you will be sorely missed by all who loved you. I will remember you most for your goofy sense of humor and your silly antics with Desi. May your memory live on in our hearts as you live on in heaven. I know you will make a beautiful angel. To your dear mother Donna, Thank You for sharing your lovely daughter with all of us in Granite Falls!
Sharril Bellah | Dec 10, 2009 11:01 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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you will be greatly missed by all i will hold all our memories close to my heart and never forget anything we have done together you meant so much to me and all those around you i hope your brother is ok and i hope he is not blaming himself cause its not brians fault it was a terrible accident you were to young to die i love you girl
FALLIN BUT NEVER FORGOTTIN
I LOVE YOU
RIP
Haley Sealander | Dec 10, 2009 4:59 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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I was the link crew leader for her during her first year as a freshman at the high school. Even though ive graduated since then its still hard to think that someone I introduced into highschool didnt get to experience it all the way through. When you know the girl and her boyfriend who was with my graduating class its really shocking to think that she isnt here anymore. RIP
Kyle Christensen | Dec 10, 2009 12:04 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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I had not heard the news about this tragic accident. I was actually driving by last night and saw people gathered and putting out flowers. I thought it was possibly the anniversary of someone who had passed. I am sorry for the family for the loss of your daughter. Sounds like she was a wonderful young lady. Please make sure her brother is o.k. and doesn't have the idea in his head that it's his fault. From the article it sounds like it definitely isn't.
Work Ethic | Dec 10, 2009 4:40 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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