Peabody reeling from death of teen

A teen girl was killed and her older sister was critically injured when their sports utility vehicle went into a ditch Sunday in Marion County.

Both of the girls were wearing their seat belts, but the younger girl’s seat belt failed.

Clarissa Terronez,17, and her younger sister, Kylie, 15, both of Peabody were driving on a dirt road east of the intersection of 90th and Jade roads in Peabody, Marion County Sheriff Lee Becker said.

The vehicle drifted off the road, went into a ditch and hit a culvert.

The vehicle flipped, landing on its wheels.

A call came into Marion County Emergency Communications about 10:30 p.m.

Kylie Terronez was ejected from the vehicle when her seat belt failed.

She was killed instantly, Becker said.

Clarissa Terronez was flown by Life Team to Wesley Medical Center, where she is recovering, Becker said.

The girls are the granddaughters of Marion County Commissioner Randy Dalke.

Dalke has been a long-time firefighter and first responder and was called to the scene of the accident, Becker said.

Becker said the tragedy has been difficult for the community.

“It is never good,” he said. “The girls were well-known. Everyone loves and cares about our children, and we’ve lost one.”

Becker said in his more than 20 years of law enforcement experience, he has never seen a seat belt fail.

The buckle was secured when law enforcement arrived on the scene, he said.

Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the crash.

Extra counselors were called to the Peabody-Burns Junior/Senior High School Monday to help students deal with the loss.

Superintendent Rex Watson said the news came hard for the close-knit school of about 200 students in grades seven through 12.

Watson said some of the seniors, who graduated Sunday and had been dismissed for the summer, came back to school Monday to gain support of their classmates.

Clarissa Terronez is a junior and Kylie Terronez was a freshman. Watson said both were very involved in school activities.

“Any time we have a tragedy like this, it is difficult for the staff and the students. Yesterday (Monday) was a difficult day, but I think the teachers did an excellent job of comforting and reassuring the students. It has been a shock to the community and a shock to the school. It will take a lot of time to heal