‘We all feel it.’ Mariposa grieving after crash leaves a student dead, another badly hurt
Shawn Spallings delivered lunch for students and staff prior to graduation practice for the seniors at Mariposa County High School on Thursday.
Spallings, who is a manager at the local Pizza Factory, said many of the students were noticeably absent.
“There were no dry eyes,” Spallings said. “We all feel it.”
The town, school and community are all grieving after an 18-year old senior was killed and a 15-year old student was transported to Valley Children’s Hospital after suffering major injuries after a solo vehicle crash on Tuesday night.
Spallings says the accident occurred just a mile from his home.
According to CHP, Mackenzie Hunter, 18, was driving a 2001 Ford F-250 on Darrah Road west of Deer Springs Road and allowed to drift onto the shoulder before steering it back onto the road.
The vehicle began to rotate and crossed both lanes of the road before descending down the hill south of the road and hitting an oak tree.
Hunter, who was set to graduate on Friday, was not wearing his seat belt. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Troy Gallaway, 15, was a passenger in the truck and was flown to Valley Children’s Hospital.
The incident has impacted the whole town.
“It’s very solemn,” Spallings said. “They were popular kids. (Troy) is a former employee here. He would come by to visit. He is very helpful. Both are good kids.”
A GoFundme account has been set up for the families of Hunter and Gallaway. Both accounts have already exceeded the goals of $10,000.
April Frazer organized the GoFundMe pages for both families.
“Many of us knew and loved Mack Hunter,” wrote April Frazer on the GoFundMe page. “He was that sweet, red-headed kid, who carried a smile with him wherever he went. He was a light in this world and an all around good person.”
Extent of 15-year-old’s injuries; help that’s needed
Frazer wrote that Gallaway suffered multiple broken bones, damage to his pelvis and severe injuries to his feet. He will need multiple surgeries and months of recovery time.
“During this time, I would like to support Troy’s parents, Joe and Anne Williams, with medical bills, travel to and from the hospital and any additional costs that the family will incur as they stay with Troy at Children’s Hospital during his recovery,” Frazer wrote.
“Joe and Anne are an integral part of the Mariposa community and can often be found volunteering for community events, on the softball field and lending a helping hand to anyone in need,” Frazer added. “Now is the time to show this family what it means to be Mariposa strong.”
School administrators and Mariposa County Schools district officials canceled graduation practice on Wednesday and met to decide how to handle other end-of-the-year activities, including the school’s graduation ceremony.
Graduation ceremony goes on
“Staff, students, and community members have provided feedback helping us determine the path forward, with respect to the immense loss that we all feel,” Mariposa County Schools Superintendent Jeff Aranguena posted on Facebook. “In consultation with the family, we will be moving forward with the MCHS graduation ceremony at 8 p.m. on Friday.”
The district has made counselors available at the high school campus for students and staff this week.
“We ask that you continue to pray for the victims’ family, and take good care of each other as we face the pain from this terrible loss,” Aranguena wrote.
In a town like Mariposa, with just over 1,100 people, tragic news like this hits harder than it would in bigger cities.
“Everyone knows everyone around here,” Spallings said. “They were part of a group of kids who were active in the community. They would try to help in all kinds of ways like doing people’s yards.”
“This community has dealt with wild fires and other tragedies,” he added. “We all rally together. We’re a tight community.”
This story was originally published June 9, 2023 at 11:50 AM with the headline "‘We all feel it.’ Mariposa grieving after crash leaves a student dead, another badly hurt."
