Hundreds Say Goodbye To Jenks Crash Victims

<p>Friends and family said goodbye to two children who were killed in a car crash last week on Interstate 35.</p>

Wednesday, July 26th 2017, 1:26 pm

By: Tess Maune


Friends and family said goodbye to two children who were killed in a car crash last week on Interstate 35.

The crash happened near Purcell on Monday, July 17, 2017.

Lizzie Edwards, Beck Kitterman, Erin Van Horn and Zachary Van Horn all died after an SUV Erin Van Horn was driving slammed into the back of a northbound semi south of Purcell.

Almost ten days later, Oklahoma Highway Patrol still hasn't released the cause of that crash.

The funeral for Erin Van Horn and her 10-year-old son, Zachary were held Tuesday, July 25th in Edmond.

The funeral service for Lizzie and Beck were held Wednesday, July 26th.

7/26/2017 Related Story: Funerals Continue Wednesday For Jenks Crash Victims

A fence at the All Star Sports Complex is where friends, and even strangers, have left flowers, banners and notes to honor the victims. The memorial grows every day.

Linda Cupps didn't know any of the victims or their families, but their deaths have deeply touched her and she wanted to pay her respects by visiting the memorial.

“It’s very sad…Lots of prayers going up,” she said. “We wanted to come and see - and my granddaughter wrote on that one.”

Several miles away, hundreds of cars lined the neighborhood streets near St. Pius X Catholic Church, where friends and family said their goodbyes to Lizzie and Beck.

Beck would have turned 12 in a few weeks. Lizzie just celebrated her 13th birthday.

The two should be enjoying summer soccer camps and planning for the new school year; instead, they're being laid to rest.

“Just love your kids all the time,” Cupps said.

Beck's obituary says he was known to always be on the move and lived in fast-forward. It says he was intelligent and athletic and that he loved to play soccer. It says he had a unique style on the soccer field, and with a photographic memory, he was able to recall every specific detail about most any game.

Lizzie's obituary says she had a keen ability to relate to others, particularly her elders, who would say she had an old, even angelic soul. It says she was a fun-loving kid and accepted everyone for who they were. She was a peacemaker and would regularly stick up for anyone being bullied or ridiculed by others. She was a natural born leader. Lizzie excelled in academics as well as athletics and was the team captain of her soccer team with the Tulsa Soccer Club.

Both were taken far too soon.

7/25/2017 Related Story: Jenks Crash Victims Laid To Rest

“Pray and God will give you courage, strength, comfort and just comfort you,” Cupps said.

Their sister, Izzy, who is still in the hospital, was able to watch the service on a live stream. Social media accounts say she and 13-year-old Lauren Van Horn are improving each day.

The families have GoFundMe pages. You can find them by following this link.

Tess Maune

Tess Maune is an Oklahoma girl through and through. Born and raised in El Reno, she always dreamed of one day working as a reporter. Tess joined News On 6 in March 2012.

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