Cole R-1 School District confirms one student has died in early morning Wednesday crash

The Cole R-1 School District is mourning the loss of one of its high school students.

16-year-old Elizabeth Eidson was killed in a crash Wednesday morning while driving to school.

“It’s been an extremely long, tough day,” said Russellville High School Principal Chris Mitchell. “Toughest day we’ve had.”

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, a a garbage truck was stopped in the eastbound lane of Route C, and was struck in the rear by a Pontiac G6 driven by Eidson.

Troopers said after the impact was made the Pontiac struck a pedestrian as the car traveled off the right side of the roadway.

Eidson was pronounced dead at the scene.The driver of the trash truck has moderate injuries and was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital.

Mitchell said he, the superintendent and a guidance counselor went to each classroom to tell the students and teachers what happened Wednesday morning.

“We wanted to make sure that message was delivered in person,” he said. “Our main concern was that our kids knew the resources we had available to them.”

Mitchell said counselors will be available at the school district through Elizabeth’s funeral. He described her as a well-liked and very involved in school.

“She was very talkative and had a goofy side,” he said. “She was in the FFA, she was a cheerleader, a volleyball player.”

The school decided to cancel its volleyball game against Calvery Lutheran Thursday night. It also postponed a carnival planned for Friday.

A vigil is planned for Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the High Point baseball fields.