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 Christian Argueta, 18, of Marshall was driving this SUV Thursday afternoon, July 3, when he lost control and struck a tree in the 1300 block of South Salt Pond Avenue in Marshall. Argueta was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger, Stephanie Rapp, 15, of Marshall died later Thursday at a Columbia hospital. Another passenger, Derian Martin, 15, of Marshall suffered moderate injuries in the accident and was being treated over the weekend at a Columbia hospital. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] |
The driver of the van, Christian Argueta, 18, of Marshall, was partially ejected from the van and was declared dead at the scene by Saline County Coroner Willie Harlow at 2:30 p.m.
One passenger, Derian Martin, 15, of Marshall, was in the front right seat of the van and was ejected from the vehicle. She suffered moderate injuries, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers.
Another passenger, Stephanie Rapp, 15, also of Marshall, was riding in the back seat of the van, according to troopers. She was taken to University Hospital in Columbia by air ambulance where she was pronounced dead at 8:15 p.m.
Martin was taken by ambulance to Fitzgibbon Hospital and also was later transfered to University Hospital in Columbia, according to troopers.
 The tree in front of 1361 S. Salt Pond Avenue shows marks made when the van to the right struck it Thursday, July 3. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] |
The accident happened shortly before 2 p.m. as the van was heading southbound on Salt Pond Avenue, went through the intersection with College Street without stopping, skidded off the right side of the road and struck a tree, according to troopers.
Pam Urtz, 1356 S. Salt Pond Ave., was in her driveway across the street when the collision occurred. She said she heard tires squealing, then a brief pause, followed by the sound of impact. She turned in time to see the SUV come to rest and immediately called 911, she said.
After calling for help, Urtz -- a former Air Force medic -- went across the street to see if she could help the victims. She and several neighbors, including Greg Vaught, resident of the home where the collision occurred, got blankets to cover the victims and tried to comfort them until emergency responders arrived, she said.
The cause of Argueta's death has not been released pending further investigation, Harlow said.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Argueta may have blacked out prior to the collision.
Autopsies were performed on Argueta and Rapp, according to Harlow, but he said it may take six to eight weeks to receive test results.
Marshall police, Marshall firefighters, Saline County Sheriff's deputies, Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers and Ambulance District No. 3 emergency medical technicians assisted at the scene.
Contact Eric Crump at marshalleditor@socket.net
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ii Stiil kANt BliiEVE DHySz HAPPENED
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UR iiN A BEttER PlAiiSE NOW ND ii kNOW yOUll BEE tAiikEN kARE Of ME fRUM ABOVE `==> Ull AlWAyS WUN iiN My HEARt`!! ii 7*3*08 A DAiitE DHAtll NEVER BEE fORqOttEN`=/
This is so sad i went to school with christian i had classes with him; when he lived in freeport; he was full of life; a good person; so hilarious; i wasn't a close friend with him but i think about it and it's crazy how you know someone and then you find out they died it's unbelievable i still can't believe it; I'm in shock; i cant believe he's dead all my sympathy goes to his family and friend i know that many people were hurt by this he has so many friends; i read all the shout-out people have for him and it makes me cry because it's tough losing your loved ones; damn he was so young; and i see the picture of the car and all i can do is imagine what was going through his head; i cant believe this happen damn the good do die young; but god need a angel i see !
damn i cant believe i cried for someone who i wasnt close to he was just one of my acquaintance but everyone makes it hard not to cry; writing so many sad things !
R.I.P Christian Argueta
[[ oO2*25*9Oo - oO7*oO3*oO8 ]]
&& god bless the families of the two of this horrible tragedy !
*Christian Argueta*...He was 1 of the few great people in this world..A true friend.....my heart broke when he left Freeport....the last time I saw him was last year for a visit & ii couldn't let go....now ii wish I hadn't let go & he would still be with me....we were talkinq about his next visit & now it all seems like a dream.....everything happens for a reason its just scary & upsettinq to find out how quickly it could happen.....I'm so glad that he felt the love in missouri like he did in Freeport....still christian is an angel & now they needed him up there more than down here with us....ii miss you & love you a lot. R.I.P. mii amor..I'll c you soon !
In lovinq memory....
Christian Argueta [O2.25.90- O7.O3.O8]
when i 1st heard that someone had died in a car wreck all i could think about was all the people that would be hurt an need the prayer from everyone then later that night i checked my phone an i had several messages sayin r.i.p chris an steph my heart sank i couldnt believe it they were 2 very nice people in r school steph always had a smile an was always havin fun an christian was a great guy who talked to alot of people he was always there cheerin a person up he knew how to change a persons day for the better. I remember the first time i meet him he came up and acted as if we had been friends forever when really it was the 1st time we ever talked an since that day we talked i knew i could count on him he was always there he always listened an gave advise not always the best but he still said it to get a smile to come about knowing i would not really take his advise an for that i thank him much luv to him an his family ...tazz will miss ya an things will never be the same but ull always be in are hearts an prayers an to an to all of them in the wreck im glad i had the chance to get to know ya an see the good in u R.I.P chris an steph
I know Stephaine's sister Lauren.. I am praying for the families that are hurting at this time! May God Bless You!!
The pain of losing a child is greater than anyone could imagine. I know. And to have people make judgement and say bad things is horrible. I did not know these children or families but my heart aches for them just the same. Just know God will get you through this. I don't know how but he will. May Christian and Stephanie rest in peace.
Stephanie was a special and caring young lady and we loved her. She had such a special smile that cheered you up. We'll always see that special smile and feel those hugs in our hearts. Her family in Warsaw is sharing the sorrow of her death.
This stuff was so crazy. You would never exspect stuff like this to happen. All the friends and families of Christian and Sephanie will miss them. Prayers to the families. and Prayers to Derian and her family.
i cant believe chris is q0ne =[ he was such a nice pers0n. wat sucksz da most is dat last time i saw him was before he moved to missouri which was like about 2 or 3 yrsz aq0 && now im not qon qet da chance to ever see him aqain...='[ im so crushed but everythinq happens for a reason && i know he is lo0kinq at us rite n0w && is smilinq down happy dat he has soo many pplsz dat l0ve him...i quess G0D ran outta anqels && he needed more cus dats wat Chris is an anqel ! R.i.P u will be qreatly missed buddy but wrd to everythinq u will never ever be forq0tten ='[ l0ve u !
My heart goes out to these 3 familes, I lost my niece in a car accident 3 years ago, I do not know the pain of loosing a child and I pray I never do, but I did see what my sister went through it was not an easy thing to watch. Just remember God is with you and will walk you through this.
Are thoughts and prayers go out to both of the family of the teens that their life were lost.
It is obvious that those who are saying these kids did something wrong to cause this accident are judging on rumor or speculation. This was truly a horrible accident involving 3 good kids. God Bless Derian and the familys.
everyone should keep ne negative comments to themselves!!!
I know all three of these kids. My daughters were friends with all of them. It is a sad lose for all the families involved. They will be missed by alot of people. And for the person that posted the negative comments, may you never make a mistake that could cost you your life and have some insensitive jerk make comments about how you lived your life. May someone not add salt to your family's wounds. You need to get all the facts about these kids before you go calling them names.
It saddens me to see such tragity among our youth. My heart goes out to the friends and family. I would like to encourage parents to talk to there children about why these things happen and how it can be prevented. No parent wants to lose there child but if we don't talk to them and find out whats going on in there lives, it could happen. It is good to trust your children but it is also good to know there business. It may agrivate them but, "oh well".
To the youth I would like to say; Be careful, Make good choices, and have faith in God. He will give you strength and guidence.
P.S. We Love You!!!
My thoughts and prayers are with these families. God Bless all of you involved and effected by this tragic accident
Jr. Mr Argueta my thoughts and prayers are with you, I don't know how you feel, but I know you are going trough a lot. God bless you and your family. I close my eyes and I see Christian, and I see how happy he was he, how friendly he was and I now that he will be remember that way. An to all the families God is with you, God is love.
To anyone wanting to make rude comments about the children involved:
Take it somewhere else. There are families suffering. You must not have a sympathetic bone in your body to understand this. This is not the place to judge anyone or the time.
Put yourself in their shoes.
This is horrible. I still cannot believe it. My prayers are with the families. I never really took it to heart to wear my seat belt but I will forever now, and so should everyone else. Open your eyes teens. The families are in my prayers.
We love you Steph. You will always be a part of our family. God Bless.
To theconcernedtreehugger: I am one of those innocent young persons family member whom did not survive this horrific accident. How dare you make such a comment when 3 different families are in such pain. I take comfort in knowing that your day will come and you will judged!
Thank you to all of the people out there for your continued prayers...all of our families need them!
Stephanie was my cousin. Thank You for all the prayers for family and friends.
My prayers go out to the families. Stephanie will be missed greatly. I have two children what are close to her age and they knew her and said she was a great athlete and girl. God bless you all. My thoughts are with you at this tragic time.
God bless the families affected by this tragedy. Our prayers are with you all.
My thoughts and prayers are with these families. God bless all of you involved and effected by this tragic accident.
Christian and I, were really close friends, we
would always fool around. Stephanie was also a good
friend and fun to hang out with. We will miss you guys.
Stephanie is my cousin and she will be missed. Thank you to all who are keeping the family in prayer.
I know two of these families, God be with all three families through this tragic time.
What a terrible tragedy, from my family to all the families involved, our prayers are with you.
I'm praying for all the families and friends.
i know stephanie rapp. she is one of my really close friends and all my thoughts and prayers go out to her family. and if you're reading this please pray for her and her family!!! :-(
God bless the families. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well.
I know one of the families invovled in this crash. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who is affected by this terrible tragedy.
God bless the families-- my thoughts and prayers are with them -- whomever they may be.