Friends, relatives remember teens killed in accident

As authorities continue to investigate what caused a fatal car accident near Lakewood, relatives and friends Saturday remembered the two teens killed in the accident and prayed for the recovery of the two survivors.

McHenry County Police Sgt. Karen Groves said weather conditions were clear at the time and that authorities were trying to determine if speed was a factor.

"We are still investigating what happened," Groves said. "We haven't spoken to the driver yet and we don't know what the driver was doing at the time of the accident."

The driver, Eva Grys, 17, of Algonquin, remained in critical condition Saturday at St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford. ABC-7 reported that she has developed a lung infection and is on a respirator.

Taylor Wozniak, 17, of Lake in the Hills and Eva Grys' younger brother, Alexander Grys, 14, were killed when the 2003 Honda Accord they were passengers in collided with a dump truck on Haligus Road just south of Lakewood Road at about 11:15 a.m. Friday, the McHenry County Sheriff's Department said.

A third passenger, 14-year-old William Schlau, was taken to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, where neighbors told ABC7 he was listed in fair condition Saturday.

According to the sheriff's department, the group was heading south on Haligus Road, just south of Lakewood Road, when the car went off the right shoulder. When Grys steered the car back onto the road, police said, she lost control, crossing into the northbound lane and collided with the dump truck.

Police said they believed all occupants were wearing seat belts and that the passenger side airbags had deployed.

The truck, owned by Snelten Inc,. a Lake in the Hills excavation company, was driven by Adam Petry, 23, who was treated at the scene and released.

No charges have been filed in the accident.

The four teens were driving home from a short day at Marian Central Catholic High School in Woodstock when the accident happened. Students left school early because of exams.

Taylor Wozniak's younger brother, Andrew, 14, told ABC7 his sister loved fashion and that all of the students in the car were close friends.

Andrew Wozniak said he had ridden to school with the group Friday morning, but said he was not in the car at the time of the accident because of a cross country meet.

"Before school started, I got out of the car and got my backpack and she said, 'Good luck on your exams,' and I said 'OK.' Those were the last words we said," Andrew Wozniak, a freshman at Marian Central, told ABC-7 reporter Michelle Gallardo.

By Saturday, friends of Wozniak and the other students had set up an account of the social networking site, Facebook, to leave messages and photographs. The messages spoke of Taylor and the need for everyone to support each other and the families of those involved in the accident.

"Taylor, You are an amazing girl! I can't believe that I will no longer see your beautiful smiling face," said one entry. "I am praying for you and your family and all the others who were in the accident. I miss you and I love you Taylor!"

Others planned to meet at the crash site Saturday afternoon to say goodbye to their friends and pray for the two survivors.

Sue Snyder, principal of St. Margaret Mary Catholic School in Algonquin, described Alex Grys -- who graduated from the school last spring -- as "a popular and very smart student."

"He was just a wonderful, kind boy with a great sense of humor," Snyder said.

On Friday night, Marian Central school officials held a prayer vigil and moment of silence prior to Marian Central's first football playoff game against Sterling.

Marian Central Superintendent Tom Landers said the school would open Monday and grief counselors would be available for students and staff who need their assistance.

"We are planning to get together with our crisis intervention team tomorrow and finalize plans on how to proceed," Landers said. "The plan for that day will include a spiritual dimension and we will provide counseling for students and teachers."

Friday's accident was five years after two Marian Central students -- 18-year-old Danielle Trueblood and her younger brother Kevin Trueblood, 15 -- were killed as they drove eastbound on Route 120 on their way home from school.