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Updated: 2:06 PM May 13, 2009
Update Man Killed in Crash One Week After Crash Killed Sister
Ainsworth A car crash killed a man in Brown County only one week after his sister was killed in a car accident. Another brother is fighting for his life. Posted: 4:43 AM May 12, 2009Reporter: KOLNKGIN Email Address: desk@kolnkgin.com |
Photos of Andrew and Ashley Ford courtesy Ainsworth Star-Journal.
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103 Comments 
Photos 
A car crash killed a man in Brown County only one week after his sister was killed in a car accident. Another brother was injured in the crash.
The Brown County Sheriff's department says the crash happened around 4:15 Monday afternoon.
Brown County Attorney David Streich said 21-year-old Andrew Ford was pronounced dead at the scene. His 19-year-old brother Jonathan Adam Ford, known as Adam, was taken to Brown County Hospital. Adam was driving the vehicle.
According to the Brown County Sheriff's Office, on May 4th, 16 year old Ashley Ford, who was the sister of Andrew and Adam, died from injuries she received in a two vehicle crash.
According to Streich, the accident occurred in a construction zone on Highway 20, 8 miles west of Ainsworth. Streich said the vehicle driven by Ford was in the construction zone, and approached a line of traffic that had been stopped by a flag person.
Streich said the vehicle struck a service truck driven by 51-year-old David Pankowski of Ainsworth. The Pankowski truck was pushed into a pickup driven by Mark Sedlacek of Ainsworth. Sedlacek was not injured.
Adam Ford and Pankowski were taken to the Brown County Hospital. Ford family friend, Pastor Bruce Beebout, told KOLNKGIN.COM that Adam Ford was released from the hospital and is home with family.
Residents describe the community of Ainsworth as "numb."
In the small town of about 1,600 people, it seems no one is unaffected by the death of Ashley and Andrew ford.
"The community is in disbelief," said Pastor Bruce Beebout.
Beebout says the family is doing everything they can to confront the reality that two of their children are gone.
"It's just a worst nightmare scenario times two," he said.
It's a nightmare for the entire Ainsworth community.
"People are coming together like I've never seen before and expressing love and concern for one another," said Beebout. "Clergy are getting involved, personnel form the school."
"It's been a tough week," said Ainsworth Community Schools Superintendent Darrell Peterson.
A crisis team is in place at the school.
"We've brought in local ministers to help out with the situation...let our students deal with it at their level and in classes let them talk about it if they wanted to," said Peterson. "[Andrew and Ashley] were well known in the community and it has affected a lot of lives."
Both were star athletes at Ainsworth High.
"I think people remember [Ashley] for that energy and that enthusiasm that she brought to life and to her friendships and that's really going to be missed," said Beebout. "[Andrew] was just full of life and he embraced life. He was Athlete of the Year his senior year at Ainsworth High School."
Many say, it's hard to believe they're gone.
Adam Ford was taken to the hospital after last night's accident.
He was kept for observation and released this Tuesday morning.
Beebout says physically, he's fine.
Funeral services for Andrew will be held Friday at Ainsworth High School.
There is a Ford Family Benefit Fund set up at all three banks in Ainsworth: Union Bank and Trust, Commercial National Bank of Ainsworth, and First National Bank of Ainsworth to help the family in whatever way possible.
Also, there is an Ashley Ford Memorial Fund and an Andrew Ford Memorial Fund.
Latest Comments
This is Peso, ex-Spanish teacher of Andrew and Adam, I just heard what happened a couple weeks ago and I cannot believe it. I AM REALLY SORRY, I pray for the family and for you guys.My deepest condolences to the Ford famliy and that community which I love so much!
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ROXANNE, LOVE IT,LOVE IT !!!!!!
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I have followed this story from 2,000 miles away as I have two children at UNL and I get the news via Omaha. This is a tragedy that defies human comprehension. All I can say is how terribly sorry I am and I will remember the Ford family in my prayers.
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