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Dozens Attend Vigil To Mourn Four Teens Killed In Crash

PALMERTON — Just days before Christmas, a community in Carbon County came together to grieve the loss of four teenagers. A vigil was held Monday night in ...
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PALMERTON — Just days before Christmas, a community in Carbon County came together to grieve the loss of four teenagers.

A vigil was held Monday night in Palmerton for those teens, killed in a car crash on Friday.

With heavy hearts, dozens of members of the community came together at Palmerton Park for a candle vigil to mark a tragic event.

This vigil was held to remember four teenagers killed in a crash late Friday night

“Four innocent lives lost, it’s just tough for everybody,” said Kim Benner.

“It’s such a tragic lost that we had and to get the whole community together and the surrounding communities, is a great idea,” said Amy Dailey, who organized the vigil.

State police said the car driven by Mike Muniz, 17, carrying Austin Hunsicker, 16, Courtney Murray, 13, and Courtney’s brother, Nate Murray, 16, hit another vehicle on Dairy Road in Lower Towamensing Township.

Crews said both vehicles caught fire.

The two people in the second car were able to escape their burning vehicle.

All four teens died at the scene.

“They were really good family friends, Nate and Courtney and then as I grew up, in junior high, I was really good friends with Mikey,too,” said Jordan Dopsovic.

Funeral arrangements have already been made for Nate and Courtney Murray. The service will be held on Wednesday, Christmas Eve.

Many said their hearts are with the victims’ families who will spend the holidays without their children.

“I feel worse for their families, it may be bad for us but especially Melissa, she lost two kids in one night,” said Dopsovic.

Investigators believe Muniz was speeding at the time of the crash.

Now a community is trying to come to grips with the sudden loss of those so young.

“Really saddened,” said Benner. “I’ve taken my son twice to the crash scene and kind of explained how things like this can happen and thinking it could have been him and some of his friends, it’s just really saddening especially at this time of year.”

An account has been set up at First Northern Bank and Trust in Palmerton to collect donations to help the victims’ families with funeral costs.

The bank manager said that account is named Accident Victims Memorial Fund.

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