LORAIN, Ohio — A Friday morning crash ended in tragedy near a Lorain marina. Lorain Police confirmed two people died and one man survived after a vehicle went into the water at Beaver Park Marina.
The victims who were deceased were identified Saturday morning as 18-year-old Lucille Hopkins and 17-year-old Paige Williams, according to the Lorain County Coroner's Office.
Around 4:15 a.m., police responded to an initial report of a downed utility pole on West Erie Avenue near Oak Point Road. Around the same time, they received calls about a young man appearing to break into a nearby home.
According to police, the young man had injuries consistent with a car crash and appeared disoriented. He told officers he had been a passenger in a car with two teens when they hit at least one utility pole and landed in Beaver Creek.
He said he was able to crawl out of a back window to escape. He told police that a female driver and passenger were in the car, and he did not see them exit.
The young man was taken to the hospital with unknown injuries and was not facing charges as of late Friday morning.
Search teams then spent hours combing Beaver Creek and a channel that connects to Lake Erie. The Lorain Police Underwater Recovery Team discovered the vehicle, and at around 8 a.m., divers recovered the bodies of Hopkins and Williams.
A portion of West Erie Avenue was blocked during the search efforts.
News 5 Reporter Mike Holden was on scene all Friday morning:
By midday, neighbors were hearing about the tragedy that unfolded early that morning.
“It’s nothing you want to hear or see,” said Bill Schaeffer, the owner of Beaver Park Marina.
He said the car involved first crashed into a utility pole near his sales lot, before proceeding another 1,000 feet and hitting another pole directly next to the marina office. That splintered pole was still floating in the water Friday afternoon.
“It’s almost a dead shot. It’s surprising they didn’t bounce off the wall or the side berm there,” Schaeffer said, gesturing to the building and steep embankment near the creek.
Schaeffer said he could recall several crashes into the water near his family's marina in the past 50-60 years.
Friday's fatal crash was felt across the neighborhood.
“[It's] just very sad," said Marina worker Luke Whalen. "It’s just something that nobody should have to go through. I feel sorry for all the families that are in this situation right now because that would be terrible, awful.”
Neighbor Genevieve Buksa added, “It’s sad they died, it’s sad he survived. I’m sure he’s going to have survivor’s guilt.”
Both Hopkins and Williams were a part of a career tech program at EHOVE. The school released the following statement regarding the crash:
"It is with a heavy heart that I share the tragic news that two members of our EHOVE family were involved in a car accident and have passed away — one of our current senior students and a graduate from the Class of 2025, Cosmetology student Paige Williams and Medical Careers alumna Lucille Hopkins.
This news is difficult for our entire school community. Anytime we lose a part of our school family, the loss is felt across our entire community. Our thoughts are with their families, friends, classmates, and all who knew them.
We understand that this news may be upsetting for many students. Our crisis response team has been mobilized, and additional counselors will be available on campus next week to support any students or staff members who wish to talk.
We encourage families to talk with their children and reach out to the school if additional support is needed. If your child would like to speak with someone, please contact the school, and we will make sure support is available.
Thank you for being such a supportive and caring community. Please keep the families affected by this tragedy in your thoughts."
Police said the circumstances surrounding the crash are under investigation.
Community gathers
On Saturday, the community created a memorial near where the crash happened. Friends of the victims brought flowers and pictures.
News 5's Maya Lockett spoke with Denielle Stearns, who came to pay her respects to the girl she called her daughter's best friend, Lucielle.
"Lucy was really close to my daughter; they talked every day and she’s really emotional right now," said Stearns.
Stearns said Hopkins had a bright future ahead of her.
"She was a good girl. She went to EHOVE (Career Center) studying to be in the medical field. She worked at a restaurant in Vermillion with my son. She loved music, she was fun to be around and just a happy go luck girl," said Stearns.
