By Howard Packowitz
NORMAL – The healing process continues for kids at Normal West High School, particularly the junior varsity girls basketball team, two weeks after a fatal head-on crash between a wrong-way semi and the team’s bus.
It’s finals week at Normal West, and school district spokesperson Dayna Brown said some team members have thrown themselves into their studies. Others have different needs.
“Our teachers are amazing and have worked with each of our players to come up with something that works for them,” Brown told WJBC’s Scott Miller.
“We’re looking at each individual student. I personally was there when one of the teachers came up to a student and said, ‘We’re not going to worry about a final this semester. You’re good to go.'”
The crash on Interstate 74 near Bloomington killed team volunteer Charlie Crabtree and the Iowa truck driver. Eight team members escaped serious injury, but JV Coach Steve Price and school bus driver Mark Kuhn of Heyworth remain hospitalized. Brown said they’re getting better every day.
Brown said she recently spoke with Coach Price.
“It’s one thing to have people talk to him and tell him how he’s doing, but just to hear his voice, it just warmed my heart. It totally made my day,” said Brown.
GoFundMe pages for both men have raised a total of almost $23,000.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
