<i>Update</i> Man Killed in Crash One Week After Crash Killed Sister
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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, 2009
Reporter: KOLNKGIN
Email Address: desk@kolnkgin.com
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Photos of Andrew and Ashley Ford courtesy Ainsworth Star-Journal.
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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

Posted by: Haley Location: ainsworth on Apr 3, 2010 at 03:35 AM

please, dont let up on the prayers for the ford family, they still need it now more than ever.. i can't fathom almost a year has gone by.. i wish you all could understand how amazing these people were.. i love you fords, you are always in my prayers..
Posted by: Marcelino Peso Location: Seville, SPAIN on May 26, 2009 at 04:12 PM

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!
Posted by: Bill Location: Oshkosh on May 17, 2009 at 10:46 PM

ROXANNE, LOVE IT,LOVE IT !!!!!!
Posted by: Drew Location: San Francisco on May 17, 2009 at 10:08 PM

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.
Posted by: Roxanne Location: Nebraska on May 17, 2009 at 09:14 AM

To the pinheads who have posted their ignorant, critical comments about two beautiful, young people whose lives have so tragically been lost: have you never driven your vehicle and looked away from the road for a second or two while tuning your radio, answering your cell phone, reaching for something in your glove compartment, looking at the sunrise, sunset or the landscape or even sneezing? Have you never been distracted by a crying child, a problem at work or home or a hundred other scenarios? You are either lying or ignorant if you say you have not. Are you ALWAYS alert to everything around you and do you respond perfectly to all road conditions? No, of course not, no one does, because no one is perfect. Grow up or shut up, or both, and we'll all thank you. My heart goes out to this family and I am praying for God's strength for them. The deep grief and inconceivable loss that they are experiencing is seldom known by most people, and they should be given only our love and support.
Posted by: Deb and Amos Location: Ainsworth on May 16, 2009 at 10:35 PM

The Ford family needs all the love and support from the comunity that they can get again i am so sorry for your losses you all take care and god be with all of you.
Posted by: Bill Location: Oshkosh on May 16, 2009 at 08:40 PM

Johnny and D, befor you say to much, dont look over your shoulder, he may be gaining on you, and they say it's hot there!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Nicole Location: Lincoln on May 16, 2009 at 08:21 PM

d, you're an idiot. Seat belts don't always save lives.
Posted by: WGJ Location: NEBRASKA on May 16, 2009 at 06:25 PM

I do not know the Ford family, or any one in the Ainseorth community, but all I can say, is that God has 2 more angles looking after all of you. My heart bleeds for you. I have been so fortunate not to have had to experience what all of you are going through. You must remember the good times, love each other, forgive those with stupid opinions!!!!!!!!
Posted by: WOW Location: Ainsworth on May 16, 2009 at 11:59 AM

Everyone's comments are empowering to the family and to the town of Ainsworth. I guess I have just one question. What is the comment about a newborn being life flighted out? No one has forgot the others involved in the accidents. Mark and Doug are from here and believe they both attended Andrews Funeral. They dont blame they feel bad and just lucky they are okay. They feel just as bad as the rest of us do. As far as the gentleman involved in the other accident, its been kept quiet on how he is doing. We pray for him too. I don't think he blames or has any kind of hatred for Ashley or her family. They were in the wrong place at the wrong time and god came and took his angel home. I suggest that no one even bother writing a response to the horrible comments on here. Just keep giving your out pooring of love and support. Amy's aunt is in the Hospital and is dying, dont expect her to make it but a couple more days. So she gets to go through yet another loss. Thank you all for your support!!
Posted by: Anonymous on May 16, 2009 at 02:07 AM

For Johnny and D. Until you 2 have experienced something like this in your life, you have no clue what either party is going through. So you should probably considered keeping your hurtful thoughts to yourselves before you 2 dig a deeper hole than you already have
Posted by: Laurie Location: Lincoln on May 15, 2009 at 10:24 PM

To the family of Ashley and Andrew, My thoughts and prayers are with you. We lost our niece 1 1/2 yrs ago as a result of a accident. She left behind a husband and 3 young children. No one knows the pain that a family endures during a tragedy such as this. My prayers are with J and D also for their cold hearts, my gosh, do you not have children? and if you do, I pray you never have to go through this pain someday.
Posted by: Ashley on May 15, 2009 at 04:23 PM

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and freinds!! I am so sorry for your loss! I am also sickened by the comments on this situation. Accidents happen every day..ACCIDENTS!! How cruel some people can be!!! For everything that happens there is a reason behind it even if that reason can not be seen at this point in time!! I have 2 children and I just want to cry for this family!! Please stop leaving ignorant comments and RESPECT others!!! If you have something so dumb and cold hearted to say....GO look in the mirror and say it to yourself!!!
Posted by: Rebecca Location: Kentucky on May 15, 2009 at 01:03 PM

To the Ford family- I am so sorry to hear what has happened. I didn't know Adam or Ashley but I have heard what great kids they were and how special they were. I am sorry for your loss and just know your family is in my thoughts and prayers. May God be with you and help you through this tragic time. I am not surprised to hear that the town is coming together and being supportive-Ainsworth is a town that comes together in times of tragedy and times of celebration. To those who want to make accusations on what has happened or what these kids should have done blah blah.. glad that you feel so empowered and so righteous to place blame on these kids or anybody for that matter. I hope you never go through a tragedy and someone places blame on you- you better be sure you are doing everything right since you are so above everyone else and you don't do anything wrong. Accidents happen- umm that's why they are called accidents. Maybe you should go and shine the pedastal that you think you're on!
Posted by: huskers Location: Sutton, Nebraska on May 15, 2009 at 12:22 AM

I do not know the family, but I have been praying for them everyday. Hearing what happend brought me to tears. Jesus, please comfort and give peace to the family and friends. My prayers will continue to be with you all.
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