ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. — A 16-year-old girl died and five other teenagers were injured in a crash in St. Charles County on Friday.
Cpl. Barry Bayles with the St. Charles County Police Department said the crash happened at about 1:30 a.m. near the intersection of Highway B and New Town Boulevard in St. Charles County.
Bayles said the teens were inside a Ford Focus that struck and knocked over a power pole in the crash.
All six people in the car were ejected, Bayles said.
Sixteen-year-old Jaylynn Kuethe was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified by a family member Friday afternoon.
While one family is mourning, others said they're praying.
“Just the idea of six young boys or girls, one of them passing away, just hit my hard pretty hard.” St. Charles County Pastor Doug Inman said.
He said he felt called upon to embrace his community Friday morning.
“I brought my kids down here so we could pray over the area, pray for the families that lost their child, or their grandchild, niece or nephew, and the ones that are still hurting," he said.
Five other teenagers were taken to area hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, Bayles said. Bayles said they were between the ages of 14 and 16.
“Be praying," Inman said. "There’s already people praying, there’s already families reaching out, there’s already people gathering in different places.”
Loved ones walked through the scene Friday morning, picking up bits of the car, and leaving pieces of their hearts. Inman was not only moved to tears, but to prayer as he walked through the scene with his own daughter.
“Just keep praying for that family that did lose something, and pray for all the other kids, that they’ll all come out of this, and they’ll be okay," he said.
Along with prayers and support, Inman said he hopes there’s one thing every family will do today.
“Love up on your kids, give them a big hug if you’re able to right now," he said.
Friends of Kuethe said they can't believe she's gone.
"She would do anything for anybody. If we'd go out to dinner and someone didn't have money, she'd offer cover it. She'd be the first one to offer a place to stay if someone didn't have a place to stay, anything," Elliott Welmack said. "At school everyone loved being around her."
One of Jaylynn Kuethe’s relatives didn’t want to go on camera today but shared her photo with 5 On Your Side and writes she was a good student and friend, an animal lover, and had an infectious smile and laugh.
The St. Charles County Police Department is investigating the crash.
5 On Your Side will update this story with information as it is confirmed.
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