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Friends, community remember victims killed in deadly crash on Interstate 65 in Whitestown

Posted at 8:03 PM, Jan 06, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-08 08:54:25-05

WHITESTOWN — Friends, family, and the community are grieving after three people were killed in a crash Sunday morning in Whitestown.

Mariah Tomey, 21, Hadley Tomey, 1, and Kaden Kirk, 19, all of Lebanon, were killed in a nine-vehicle crash, according to authorities.

Friends of those killed who spoke to RTV6 all had the same reaction of disbelief.

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Jake Bird, who worked Mariah, says he found out about the crash from another friend.

"She was so young, she had a 1-year-old," Bird said. "She was always smiling and joking. It seems surreal."

Both Kirk and Tomey went to Lebanon High School.

Jen Todderud, director of communications for Lebanon Community School Corporation released the following statement regarding Kirk and Tomey:

This is a difficult loss for our community. Kaylee and Mariah are remembered fondly by students and staff alike. Both have been described as caring, kind, and wonderful young people with promising futures. As students at LHS, both were very involved. Mariah was a Tigerette and a member of a number of clubs, including Best Buddies. Kaylee played basketball, ran track, was a member of Sunshine Society, and attended Tiger Leadership Camp.

Counselors are available at Lebanon High School to support students and staff. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the Kirk and Tomey families, as well as to all members of our community who have been impacted by this tragedy.