GIBSON CITY — The Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley school district is mourning the loss of a GCMS High School junior who died in a one-vehicle crash in rural Ford County on Tuesday, May 30.
In a statement posted on the district’s Facebook page, Superintendent Jeremy Darnell announced with “great sadness” the untimely death of Colin Kristensen, 17, a member of the class of 2024.
Colin Kristensen
“Colin was an amazing young man who was active in a diverse set of activities,” ranging from athletics, agriculture and FFA to helping with the technical aspects of the performing arts, Darnell’s statement said. “The family, students, staff and community are shocked and saddened by the sudden loss.”
According to a news release from Ford County Sheriff Chad Johnson, Mr. Kristensen was driving a Dodge Ram 2500 pickup truck north on County Road 500 East, just south of the intersection with County Road 1200 North near Sibley, when he lost control of the truck, which left the roadway and entered a ditch on the east side of the road, where it struck a utility pole and then rolled several times, ejecting him from the vehicle.
Ford County sheriff’s deputies, Gibson Area Ambulance Service paramedics and Sibley firefighters responded to the one-vehicle crash around 3:07 p.m., Johnson said. After Mr. Kristensen was assessed at the scene by medical personnel, it was determined that he had succumbed to injuries sustained in the wreck. Mr. Kristensen, of the Gibson City area, was the lone occupant of the vehicle.
Funeral arrangements were pending.
“Information on arrangements will be provided when made available by the family,” Darnell said in his statement. “Thank you for your support, thoughts and understanding in this difficult time.”
Mr. Kristensen was a son of Jay and Lori Kristensen. His mother is employed in the GCMS unit office, Darnell said.
Jay Kristensen said in a Facebook post Wednesday that the previous day was “the worst day of my life” and that “today I’m just numb so far.”
“Before work he must have decided to go for a quick cruise,” Jay Kristensen said of his son, “and for reasons still unclear, lost control of his truck and hit a power pole. It was a single-vehicle accident, and I’m told there does not seem to be any extraordinary circumstances other than possibly a little speed. He was not wearing a seatbelt.”
Jay Kristensen said his son had so many passions and dreams.
“There was so much he wanted to do. There were so many things he loved,” Jay Kristensen said. “He absolutely loved his music and loved to build things. He loved to cook and hunt and go shooting with me. He loved being a clown, and he loved his friends. Colin had a strong faith in God, and I know he is with his two grandpas now. I lost my best friend, but heaven gained an angel. I love you and will miss you forever, buddy.”
In another Facebook post, Colin Kristensen’s twin sister, Kate Kristensen, called him her “best friend.”
“I love you forever and ever,” she said. “Please hold your loved ones tight. I just want one more squeeze from you. One more time of you screaming at me to leave you alone and stop touching you and being annoying. One more time of yelling at you to get your smelly boots out of the hallway. One more time yelling at you to quit taking all the hot water from the shower. One more goofy smirk. I miss you eternally.”
Mr. Kristensen’s death came a little over a year after another 17-year-old GCMS High School junior, Colin Bane, died in a traffic accident in McLean County. A memorial bench was installed at the high school and dedicated in Mr. Bane’s memory this spring.
“The GCMS community always rises to the occasion to support our children and families, and we want to thank everyone who has already reached out to do so,” Darnell said.
