Goodrich-The death of yet another student in a fatal car accident has shaken the community.
Nicholas Page, a freshman at Goodrich High School, died Oct. 30 after his 16-year-old sister apparently lost control of the vehicle in which he was riding and struck a tree.
Both the driver and two other passengers, a 16-year-old female and 14-year-old male, received serious, but not life-threatening, injuries.
‘He was always very nice and respectful,? said Dan Hartley, Nicholas? government class teacher. ‘He was upbeat and fun-loving? a pleasure to have in class.?
Hartley said he remembers Nicholas as a well-liked student who enjoyed moto-cross dirt bikes and did well academically.
‘He always had a smile on his face, seemed to be laughing a lot and enjoying life,? said Hartley.
‘Nick’s a great kid,? said Kimberly Hart, superintendent of Goodrich Area Schools. ‘I’ve known Nick since third grade? always smiling, quiet, polite. Our staff is feeling (this) very hard.?
The death comes just ten days after the death of another area student, Cayn Nance, who was killed in a car accident near the intersection of M-15 and Kipp Road on Oct. 20. Cayn was a sixth-grade student at Goodrich Middle School.
‘Our staff knows these kids,? said Hart. ‘The last couple weeks have been particularly difficult because of that. It’s hard to come up with something to say to make it easier to understand. Our thoughts and prayers are with the students and their families.?
‘It’s hard to swallow,? said GHS principal David St. Aubin, adding faculty members were coping as they try to help students deal with their grief. ‘We hurt too,? said St. Aubin, who lost another student in February when Kayla O’Mara was killed in a car accident that seriously injured two other students. ‘We try to stay professional and move on.?
In the days following the incident, as with previous deaths, counselors and clergy were made available to students and the community.
According to reports from the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department, the 1997 Geo Tracker was traveling westbound on the gravel roadway of Kipp Road at a high rate of speed when the vehicle left the roadway. The vehicle hit a tree before coming to rest on its side.
Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor.
Reports show Nicholas wasn’t wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident and was ejected from the vehicle.
All victims of the crash were treated by Genesee County Sheriff’s Department paramedics prior to being transported to Genesys Health Park, with the Atlas Township Fire Department assisting at the scene.
Both Hart and St.Aubin advised caution while driving.
‘We have busy roads around us,? said Hart. ‘Our country roads have become less safe.?
St. Aubin said if nothing else, the recent string of tragedies can serve as inspiration to value time spent with loved ones.
‘My advice is just to take advantage of that time that you have with your children now,? said St. Aubin. ‘Time is very precious. You can only live day by day.?
A funeral was planned for Nicholas at 11 a.m. on Nov. 3 at Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 W. Hill Road in Flint.
The family ask that any donations be made to the Genesee County Humane Society, 3325 S. Dort Hwy. in Burton.