Gone Too Soon

A number “8” with angel’s wings floated across many Facebook pages Sunday as Webster County mourned the loss of a life taken far too soon.

Now, many have changed their profile pictures as a tribute to 16-year-old Kaci Wood, who was tragically killed in an early morning accident Sunday in Union County.

Wood, a standout starter for the Webster County Lady Trojans’ softball team, had just finished her sophomore year.

Styrofoam cups trace the number “8” in the fence outside the WCHS softball field, and flowers and baloons are placed around it.

Monday evening, a large crowd gathered at the field, and another smaller one at Sebree Springs Park, to release a myriad rainbow of baloons into the sky in memory of Wood.

One commenter said those released in Sebree seemed to all float toward the Wood home there.

In a show of solidarity with their usual Sixth District rivals, Union County High School lit their school sign with the Webster County insignia and the message, “You’re In Our Prayers.”

After making the high school available for those students who needed grief counseling Sunday, school officials have decided to offer additional sessions. Students may come to grief counseling Wednesday afternoons from 1-3 p.m, beginning next week (June 15) and ending on July 27.

A community is mourning the best it can in the wake of a tragedy that seems to happen all too often.

According to a report released by the Kentucky State Police, Wood died after a one-vehicle accident just after 2 a.m. outside Morganfield. She was pronounced dead at Union County Hospital.

The accident occured at the 1500 block of St. Rt. 492 just outside Morganfield.

KSP are still investigating the cause of the accident, but have said the Dodge Durango in which Wood was a passenger overturned multiple times. She was not wearing a seatbelt at the time and was ejected from the SUV.

Troopers investigating the crash said a preliminary investigation revealed that the driver, Maxwell McMain, 19 of Morganfield, lost control of the vehicle for an unknown reason. Eventually, the SUV flipped several times.

According to the report, McMain also was not wearing a seatbelt, and is reported to be in stable condition at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, IN.

A second passenger, Jacob Hood, 20 of Morganfield, was wearing a seatbelt and was not injured in the wreck.

The investigation is ongoing, and no cause has been ruled out, the report stated.

A memorial scholarship has been established in Wood’s name. Contributions can be sent to Kaci Wood Scholarship Fund, C/O Sebree Deposit Bank, P.O. Box 96, Sebree, Kentucky, 42455.