El Reno gathers for 4 victims after I-40 crash — Storm Tracker

More than 200 people gathered in El Reno on Monday night as a storm tracker covered the vigil for four young victims killed in a fiery wrong-way crash on Interstate 40. The gathering came near El Reno High School, where three of the victims had recently graduated.

The crash happened last Friday near Czech Hall Road in Yukon, when a suspected drunk driver traveling the wrong way on I-40 hit a vehicle carrying four people early Friday morning. The vehicle caught fire, and everyone inside died.

El Reno High School

Authorities identified the victims as 20-year-old Kiercey Hickson of Stillwater, 19-year-old Quincy Jones of El Reno, 18-year-old Haleigh Salazar of El Reno and 18-year-old Brad Palmer of El Reno. Community members then gathered at a nearby lake to mourn together and support the families.

Julie Huber, the associate superintendent, said the tragedy has deeply affected the close-knit community. "I can’t imagine. Our hearts, our thoughts and prayers are with them" she said at the vigil.

Nancy Salsman

Nancy Salsman, a retired teacher, said three of the victims had once been students in her second-grade classroom. "There were lots of tears from the both of us" she said about seeing former students' families.

"You just make that connection that never goes away. They’re always your kids. And when something like this happens we come together" Salsman said at the vigil. She added, "When something happens and a family, a community member needs help, we come together to help."

Brandi Higgins

Brandi Higgins said the loss has shaken the area. "These kids are very close. Our community is very close" she said, as residents from El Reno, Stillwater and Yukon continued grieving together.

The vigil showed how quickly the crash reached beyond the roadway and into three communities at once, with families, former teachers and neighbors gathering in one place to share the same loss.