2 Teens from Aurora Central Catholic Killed in Tragic Car Wreck

Heavy fog was a factor in a car accident Tuesday night that took the lives of two Aurora Central Catholic High School students on their way to a high-school basketball game, Seth Egger and Ally Bradford.

Egger, 16 of Montgomery, celebrated his birthday on Feb. 4, family members confirmed for ABC 7 Chicago.

“He liked to play soccer a lot,” sophomore Giovanni Giron told WGN News. “He was always funny. He was always smiling.”

Bradford, 16, was riding in the back seat behind the driver. Friends told the Chicago Tribune she played volleyball, basketball and softball.

“She always brought her smile with her,” sophomore Taylor Haddock said. She’s known Bradford since second grade.

Six students were in a white Acura SUV that collided with a semi tractor-trailer at about 6 p.m. Tuesday at Route 38 and Dement Road near Rochelle in Ogle County, according to State Police. The 17-year-old male driver ran a red light and hit the semi as it was turning left onto Route 38, police said, becoming wedged beneath the trailer between the third and fourth axle.

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Egger was riding in the front passenger seat. Bradford was taken to Rochelle Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The driver was taken to St. Anthony’s Medical Center in Rockford where he is in stable condition in the intensive care unit, reports WGN News. Police said everyone in the car was wearing a seat belt. The driver was issued a citation for running the red light.

The three other passengers were not hurt. The driver of the truck, Aleksander Smolcic, a 56-year-old Des Plaines man, also was not hurt.

The principal of the school, the Rev. F. William Etheredge, was on the scene and was with the children shortly after the accident.

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“Our condolences are with the entire Aurora Central Catholic High School community and the families and friends of the two young Chargers who passed away in such a tragic car accident last night. We’ve talked with many members of the ACC family throughout the night, and we join together as one supportive community as we mourn the loss of these two bright lights gone too soon,” the Catholic school said in a statement released Wednesday.

A Mass took place on campus Wednesday morning, led by Father Etheredge, who was on the verge of tears during the homily, drawing students from neighboring Catholic schools as well. As students and parents came to school Wednesday, there were many tears. Some spoke with reporters, offering memories of their classmates.

“It just hurts,” mom Kim Young of Aurora, who has a 13-year-old who will be attending Aurora Central Catholic next year, told the Chicago Tribune. She was outside the school Wednesday morning. “I am close to (the family of one of the victims) and this is crazy.”

On Twitter, the hashtag #PrayforACC was circulating among students and members of the ACC community.