LIGONIER - Students at West Noble High School are reeling after two students were killed in separate accidents less than 20 minutes apart Tuesday morning.
According to information from the Noble County Sheriff's Department, Amanda L. Musser, 18, of Cromwell, and Brandon A. Replogle, 18, of Kimmell, were killed in a pair of accidents on U.S. 33 within three miles of West Noble High School.Musser was involved in the first crash around 7:38 a.m. She was southbound on U.S. 33 about a half mile from the high school when the 1996 Ford Explorer she was driving went off the east side of the road, hit a utility pole and rolled over.
Musser, who was not wearing a seat belt, was partially thrown out of the SUV and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said that weather is not believed to be a factor in the crash and they believe Musser may have been distracted, driving off the road in a curve.
The second crash occurred around 7:54 a.m. on the U.S. 33 railroad overpass at the north edge of Kimmell, about three miles from West Noble High School.
Replogle was northbound in a 1998 GMC pickup when he lost control on an icy bridge. The pickup crossed the center line and was hit by a southbound 1995 Ford truck driven by Jerry L. Rockey, 47, of Shipshewana.
Replogle also was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Rockey was not injured in the crash.
Both Musser and Replogle were seniors at West Noble in a class of 170 students. Counselors will be on hand at school to help students deal with the emotional aftermaths of the crashes.
