VERMILION — Mayor Russ Owens delivered emotional remarks Monday night during the Vermilion City Council meeting, addressing the community following the deaths of two local teenagers in a tragic car crash Friday in Lorain.
Owens spoke at the close of the Health and Safety Committee meeting March 9, reflecting on the loss of Lucille Hopkins, 18, and Paige Williams, 17, and the impact their deaths have had across the Vermilion community. His remarks are presented below in full.
On Friday, Vermilion lost two beautiful young women in a horrific car accident in Lorain.
Friday was a tragic day for their parents and their families, and for all of Vermilion as well. There are no words, no official statement, that might help mend the crushing loss and heartbreak felt by their families, their friends and their co-workers.
Their lives are changed forever, and my heart simply breaks for them.
To the parents who have lost their daughters, please know that this entire community is holding you in our thoughts, our prayers and our deepest sympathy.
Two very bright lights have gone out in Vermilion, and we will never be as bright again.
As your mayor, I must pause and remind us that our city is much more than its buildings, its streets, its roads, its problems and its divide. Our great city is such because of its caring people and its beautiful youth. It is both the joy we share and the pain we bear together.
And while those of us here in this building will continue to serve our community, let us do so with the underlying truth that our service should always be secondary to the safety and well-being of our children and our youth.
For me, the horrible accident last week touches differently, as my daughter Ava is 19 as well. What happens when the unthinkable happens? When your worst nightmare happens? When your child never returns home?
Their parents’ lives are shattered and will never, ever be the same.
I’m hopeful that, as a city and as a community, we can extend our deepest sympathy to them, and grace to one another.
Our city is strong, but this evening our strength must be our compassion.
To the parents and families and friends of Paige and Lucille, we are with you. You are in our hearts and in our prayers.
We will remember.
I’m also hopeful we will honor their lives by the manner in which we live ours. Life is fragile and fleeting. Hold your loved ones close. Your children closer.
And may God bless us all and keep Paige and Lucille by His side.
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