ForeverMissed
Large image
Stories

Share a special moment from Andrew's life.

Write a story

Fatal Wreck

November 27, 2013
BOONVILLE, Ind. — Andrew Hatfield was proud of the scar on the back of his head from his brain surgery two years ago. "He was a teenager, and you'd think that he'd want to cover it up. He buzzed it. He was so proud of that scar," said Sherri Bullock, Hatfield's aunt. "He felt bad every once in a while, but he didn't let it keep him down. Andrew's always been a fighter." Eddie Arriago Jr. Andrew Hatfield On Thursday, Hatfield, 17, of Boonville was one of two Warrick County teenagers who died in a two-vehicle wreck on Indiana 261 near Rolling Hills Country Club. The other teen was 18-year-old Eddie Arriago Jr., also of Boonville. A third teen, Arriago's 15-year-old brother, Zackery, and the construction truck driver, Charles Davis, of Newburgh were injured and taken to St. Mary's Medical Center. Their conditions were not available late Thursday. According to investigators, the wreck occurred when a southbound 1991 Geo Metro driven by Eddie Arriago Jr. crossed the center line and struck a northbound Peyronnin Construction truck driven by Davis. Members of Hatfield's family said the teens worked together at Sonic. Warrick County Chief Deputy Brett Kruse said it was not known immediately why the Arriago car crossed the center line of the highway, and it is unclear if weather was a factor. "When you don't have rain for a long period of time, dust and dirt will build up on the road, and rain can make things more hazardous," Kruse said. "That area is very hilly, and there are a lot of private drives along there. It's a dangerous road. There are several crashes on State Route 261 ... all the way from Boonville to Newburgh." Eighth fatal accident Thursday's wreck marks the eighth fatal accident in Warrick County this year. Kruse said it's a tragedy any time someone is killed, but the younger they are the worse it is. "You've got parents that have watched these kids grow up," he said. "And they're getting to the point of adulthood to make something of their lives and see all that ended. ... It's just a terrible tragedy for the families." Hatfield's family and friends gathered Thursday evening at the Warrick County Sheriff's Department. They hugged, wiped tears from their eyes and reminisced about the teen who recently had joined the National Guard and loved football, animals and music. David Schonabaum, 16, rode to school with Hatfield every morning. They met at the beginning of the school year and shared classes together at the Southern Indiana Career & Technical Center in Evansville. He said he knew something was wrong Thursday after he called Hatfield and didn't get a call back a few minutes later. "It seems like I got to know him instantly," he said. "He was the best friend a friend could be." Jonathan Oakes said he'd been friends with Hatfield "since forever." "He was one of my closest friends," Oakes said. "I'm kind of speechless right now." Hatfield's cousin and friend, Sherri Taylor, said the teen was like "sprinkles on my cupcake. ... He made me so happy," she said. "He got along with everyone. Me and him were like peas and pods, we did everything together. "I always looked up to him like a big brother ... I was his little sister." Bullock, Hatfield's aunt, said her nephew was all about family and friends. "He was a good boy," she said. "We don't want him to just be a name in the paper because he was somebody. Andrew was fun loving. Andrew never saw the bad in anybody ... he was just a good kid." Previously NEWBURGH, Ind. — Two Warrick County teens died in a two-vehicle wreck Thursday afternoon on Indiana 261 near Rolling Hills Country Club. A third teen, the brother of one of the dead, was also injured, along with the driver of a construction truck they hit.

Share a story

 
Add a document, picture, song, or video
Add an attachment Add a media attachment to your story
You can illustrate your story with a photo, video, song, or PDF document attachment.