Intersection Where Students Died to Close for Memorials

The site of a fatal vehicle accident will be briefly closed Monday afternoon so that people can leave memorials in memory of the two high school students who died there. School officials, in cooperation with Ramsey County, will provide a safe and dedicated opportunity for those who wish to place memorials in memory of Mounds View High students Bridget Giere and Stephanie Carlson near the site of the accident.

A police escort will accompany buses and vehicles leaving Mounds View High School at 2:20 p.m., according to a news release. Parking is available at nearby North Heights Lutheran Church.

The intersection will be temporarily barricaded by Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department until 2:50 p.m. Buses will return students to school afterwards.

"For everyone’s safety, this opportunity is the recommended way to leave memorials near the site," read a statement from the school district.

Visitation and memorial services will be held this week. Information for Bridget Giere can be found here. Details about services for Stephanie Carlson can be found here.

Fatal accident

The Mounds View High School community continues to mourn after Giere and Carlson were killed in a vehicle accident Thursday morning. On Dec. 1, a vehicle with three students was struck at the corner of Highway 96 and Highway 10 in Arden Hills.

"This will be a very difficult time for our students, staff and community," Principal Jeff Ridlehoover wrote in a letter to the school. "We want to make sure that those affected by this tragedy feel supported in expressing or coping with their grief."

Students from the school and across the state shared their sympathies for the victims over social media.

Ridlehoover said counselors who are trained in grief counseling were made available to support students Thursday and will remain available as needed in the coming days.

Image via Google Earth