PERRY, Iowa — The small community of Perry is hurting after two teens were killed and another was hurt in a car crash Thursday morning.
Three minors from Jamaica, Iowa were traveling east on Highway 141 near Diagonal Road when the car lost traction on the snow-covered roads and entered the westbound lane at 7:45 a.m. Thursday, according to the Dally County Sheriff's Office and an Iowa State Patrol crash report.
A box truck in the westbound lane collided with the passenger side of the car.
Two of the minors were pronounced dead at the scene. The other victim suffered serious injuries and is currently hospitalized in critical condition.
The driver of the truck reported no injuries.
Investigators are not identifying the kids; however, Local 5 spoke with Pastor David Sixtos-Villa of Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal M.I. Casa Del Alfarero in Des Moines. He said the teens were all siblings in the Fuentes Gavidia family, who attend the church.
Sixtos-Villa was on his way out of town when he received the call from the mother of the three children involved.
He said in an instant, his plans changed Thursday. But, more than anything, in that moment he knew: life wouldn't be the same.
"It really tore us apart, it broke us," he said. "Two of them were dead on arrival, or they were dead on the scene and we have their big sister fighting for life."
Sixtos-Villas said Walter and Daisy Fuentes Gavidia were the two children who died, while their older sister, Edlyn Fuentes Gavidia, was also in the car at the time of the accident.
Sixtos-Villa spent Thursday evening with the victim's family, even visiting Edlyn in the hospital.
"We told her how much we love her," Sixtos-Villa said. "And I told her, 'Edlyn, let's go get some McDonald's. I love you. The church needs you.' And she moved her leg a little bit. But I know that she's still under very critical condition."
The pastor says the loss of these young lives is heavy, as these children were active members of the church.
"Walter and Daisy, they're going to be missed," Sixtos-Villa said. "Edlyn is one of our lead singers... [she has] such a beautiful voice. We pray that God could create a miracle and she can walk out of this."
According to a GoFundMe page started by Sixtos-Villa, the community will be holding a vigil this Saturday at 7 p.m. at Perry Middle and High.
Clark Wicks, superintendent of the Perry Community School District, told Local 5 that counseling will be available for students in the library at Perry Middle and High beginning on Friday at 10 a.m.
Local 5 will update this story as more information becomes available. Download the We Are Iowa app or subscribe to Local 5's "5 Things to Know" email newsletter for the latest.
