Teen Killed In Weekend Crash

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Posted: 1:01 PM Jan 5, 2009
Last Updated: 1:01 PM Jan 5, 2009
Reporter: News 10

22 comments

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It's a sad day for students at Jackson County's Northwest High School after one of their own dies in a car accident this weekend.
16-year-old Renee Swantek was killed after a truck she was riding in lost control and slammed into a tree.
It happened about 2:15am Sunday morning on Interstate 94 in Leoni Township.
The two other girls riding in the truck, Chelsea Jeremy and Stephanie Dorr were injured, but not seriously.
This is the second fatal accident involving students from Northwest Community Schools.
On June 21st, Stephen Horton, Marlina Sarata and Benny Ojeda died in an accident on Maple Grove Road in Rives Township.
18-year-old Koty Walker was the only person to survive.
Funeral arrangements for Swantek are unknown at this time.
Grief counselors are available at the school for anyone who needs to talk.
The crash remains under investigation.
Swantek was a junior and played varsity soccer and golf.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Stephanie Dorr & Chelsea Jeremy on May 18, 2009 at 04:55 PM
we miss you soo much renee its unreal. its not fair at all that you had to go but god needed you more then we do & through the years we will learn how to deal with this but its just not the same here without you we miss you terribly & think about you and that night everyday..were so sorry, and cant wait until we see you again one day. lovee you girl forever & always

Posted by: Chelsea & Stephanie Location: Northwest on Apr 17, 2009 at 09:44 PM
For all the parents who are sitting here critizing our parents and us. It's none of your business. Kids make poor choices sometimes, it's how you learn. Don't say you have never been out past curfew. If you are going to talk about it, GET THE FACTS STRAIGHT. We were not going to a party. we were not coming to a party. we were not under the influence of anything. For those who said they wouldn't go out in bad conditions, then did you not go outside November through April? We know we screwed up and we ARE handling it. We lost our best friend because we did something stupid. we do not need you people telling us it. it doesn't help at all. our parents are not horrible either. you never lied to your parents saying you were somewhere else? For those parents who say they do know where their kids are, do you really? love chelsea jeremy & stephanie dorr p.s. RBS, im sorry that your last days were filled with so much pain. god only takes the best. you'r our angel. we love you. :(

Posted by: Chyenna Location: Jackson on Feb 27, 2009 at 12:51 AM
How pathetic can people be about teen's dying!!!...Like seriously show some sympathy, cause if it was your child you would want the same!!!

Posted by: Crystal Location: Northwest H.S. on Feb 26, 2009 at 11:17 AM
We miss you Renee...We are keeping your spirit alive. ♥Crystal Brennan

Posted by: anonymous Location: northwest high school on Jan 9, 2009 at 08:07 AM
you know we just lost a person that went to our school and all you people can do is talk trash....wow how pathetic are you people i hope you lose one of your kids then maybe you'll know how renee's parents feel

Posted by: Northwest High Student Location: Northwest High on Jan 8, 2009 at 06:45 PM
R.I.P Renee we love you and always will your in my thoughts and prayers... bye we all think about you

Posted by: NorthwestStudent Location: Jackson on Jan 8, 2009 at 09:32 AM
I am so sorry for the parents of Renee. I wasnt friends with her or anything but the people sitting around making rude comments about her and her friends are completely inconsiderate. Just because they dont do the same parenting skills as some other people doesnt mean they dont know how to be a parent. I mean think about it they are grieving about their 16 year old daughter and all you people can do is sit there and talk trash. CAN YOU SAY RUDE!!! Get a life and learn how to be respectful!! To some of the parents: what if your daughter or son died in a fatal car accident and people were talking bad about you how would you feel?? Think about it!!

Posted by: anonymous Location: jackson on Jan 7, 2009 at 08:51 PM
Honestly, Renee's parents and family dont need to sit here and see all of these people talking crap. Act like an adult and have some respect. These people just lost their little girl and all you can do is criticize their parenting skills. You will never know if they were good or bad parents ... its not your business. If something like this happened to you, maybe you would look at this differently. Grow up and start acting like the adults you try so hard to act like. Rest in Peace Renee....You will be greatly missed.

Posted by: buffy Location: albion,michigan on Jan 7, 2009 at 12:17 AM
I have 2 teenagers myself and I know where they are at all the time My oldest is going to be 19 and the youngest is 15. their curfew is 930p.m the alarm in the town goes off at 10pm .I go looking for them if they aren't home by 930p but i haven't had to do that I bought them cell phones and I call them all the time to see where they are at .On the weekends I'm the one parent who is with them all the time if they need to go anywhere I take them and thier friends and pick them up Why are they at parties at this age..and why 4 of them in a 3 seat pick-up no seatbelts where is the lesson on this at..Anyone under the age of 16 isn't to have any friends in the car that is a state law.My 19 yr old is a senior at Western High and doesn't even drive yet scared to death because of this stuff right here.Also remember these kids now a days don't know the difference on the road conditions because they take the drivers ed in the summer,not the winter need more courses in the winter..

Posted by: northwest parent on Jan 6, 2009 at 10:56 PM
whats done is done! we cant bring her back.but as parents we try ar best to keep are kids safe as best we can. we hope they make the right choices when there out.as for the person who says the idots should shut their mouths you must not be a parent cause you dont know how to spell it!!!!and for stuff happens ,these things shouldnt!we love you RENEE!!!!!RIP

Posted by: Katie Location: WI on Jan 6, 2009 at 07:37 PM
Soccer camp was fun with you. and everyone at camp misses you! rip

Posted by: Northwest Parent Location: Northwest on Jan 6, 2009 at 05:12 PM
The kids now days don't respect any Adults.They act like they don't have to listen to there parents or any Adults. No where your kids are! The kids now days say for example Dawn says' Mom I'm spending the night over Sallys house , and Sally says she is spending the night at Dawns house . Come on parents, please don't let the kids rule. It's time to put our foot down and start being parents not there friend! We love our kids and we have to keep them safe. RIP Renee.

Posted by: ?? Location: michigan on Jan 6, 2009 at 02:26 PM
There is no need for trying to tell these parents they did wrong. Stuff happens. To the paretns of this girl do your best to get through it, its really hard but theres always hope. some of theses idots need to shut there mouths.

Posted by: Anda Location: NWHighschool on Jan 5, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Renee, you dont know how much we all miss you...it was hard without seeing you with your smile today... loveyou. Rest in peace.

Posted by: Miranda Location: Northwest High on Jan 5, 2009 at 09:16 PM
Renee....you dont know how hard it was without seeing your smiling face in the crowd..so many tears were shed for you and many more are to come...wemissyoualot...Rest In Peace babe...loveyou<33

Posted by: northwest parent on Jan 5, 2009 at 07:07 PM
there is a curfew midnight! do the parents know where they where? such a loss of life.

Posted by: Kati Location: Northwest High. on Jan 5, 2009 at 06:22 PM
Renee...I miss you so much...today was so hard for all of us...RIP. loveyou.

Posted by: Charles on Jan 5, 2009 at 05:51 PM
This is a tragedy. Kids at this age have no business being on the road at this late hour. The weather report was for icy conditions. Kids think they are indestructable. Parents need to pay more attention and when did the old fashion curfew go out the window, maybe these senseless tragedies could be avoided.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 5, 2009 at 04:50 PM
Sad Sad Story... I thought there was a curfew for young drivers.? Yet another sad day for another family of a teen driver.God bless the family....

Posted by: sam on Jan 5, 2009 at 03:59 PM
i miss you soo much nae..i can't imagine going into class without you. its not the same..i can just hear your laugh now.. rest in peace.. i love you soo much!!!

Posted by: parent Location: northwest on Jan 5, 2009 at 02:38 PM
why were they out so late! she will be greatly missed.

Posted by: Jillane on Jan 5, 2009 at 01:09 PM
I dont ever want to go to work again i cant imagine it without you lil one .. rest in peace until i get to see you again.

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