Updated 4:45 p.m. 2/4/10
A Glenbard West High School student injured in a car accident last Friday night has died.
Pierre Washington-Steele, 17, died this morning, according to a press release from the DuPage County Sheriff's Department, the agency investigating the crash.
Another student injured in the crash, Demarco Whitely, also 17, remains hospitalized in serious condition.
Washington-Steele, a senior, and Demarco Whitely, a junior, were hurt when their car crashed into a utility pole about 8 p.m. Friday, January 29. Investigators say Washington-Steele was driving.
The crash involved just their car. It happened on Swift Road just north of St. Charles, according to the Glen Ellyn fire department.
On Sunday, hundreds of people attended a candlelight vigil to pray for the boys' recoveries.
Dr. Jane Thorsen, principal at Glenbard West said on Monday " Both these young men are very well-liked and we're a close knit community here."
Thorsen said students organized the vigil on the sports field at the school and she estimated some 400 students attended. Both boys were members of the school's football team.
DuPage investigators have released no information on the possible cause of the crash.
Below is a statement released from the school this afternoon.
"The entire Glenbard West community is saddened to learn of the death of Pierre Washington Steel, a senior at West, and we extend our heartfelt sympathy to his family.
The West student body has been informed of this loss and our Student Services staff is available for anyone who may be in need of support. This support will be available throughout today, as well as tomorrow.
We encourage West parents to be especially sensitive and prepared to offer support to your child during this time. If you have any concerns regarding your child’s reaction to this loss, please contact your child’s school counselor or a member of our administrative staff."
On January 18, two Fenton High School students died in a crash when their car struck a tree in Bensenville.
This past Saturday, January 30, four friends in their 20s and 30s died in a single car crash in Crest Hill.
