I am Kaitlyn Drost the co-owner.
please keep kelli and her family in your prayers.
we're all in this jonas family together.
Date: Nov 24, 2007 8:59 PM
FORWARD:i miss them.
TURN THE VOLUME UP!
Two teenage sisters who had just left a holiday family photo session were identified Saturday as those killed when an Illinois state trooper lost control of his car and struck their vehicle.
Jessica Uhl, 18, and her sister, Kelli, 13, both of Collinsville, were killed in the crash about noon Friday.
The sisters were heading west on Interstate 64 near the Scott Air Force Base exit when Trooper Matt Mitchell's patrol car crossed the median and struck their car.
State police say Mitchell, 29, was responding to a vehicle crash with people trapped inside. His lights and siren were on, police said.
Another car cut in front of the trooper's car, causing him to lose control, police said. State Police Lt. Morrie Fraser said Saturday that his agency was still looking for the driver of that vehicle, which did not stop after the crash. They are hoping that a video from a dashboard camera in Mitchell's car will help identify the vehicle. Anyone with information on the car should contact Fraser at 618-223-3089.
Jessica and Kelli died at the scene. Mitchell was taken to Barnes-Jewish Hospital, where he was reported in good condition Saturday.
A sport utility vehicle also was involved in the accident. Police have not identified the man and woman in that vehicle, but said their injuries were not life threatening.
Jessica and Kelli had just left the home of their father in Mascoutah. They were taking part in a family photo shoot with about 12 other relatives on their stepmother's side, including grandparents. Jessica and Kelli had a younger half sister and a younger half brother.
Jessica, driving a white Mazda sedan, was planning to drop Kelli off at the Collinsville home of their mother, Kimberly Dorsey, before going to work at a tanning salon, one of two jobs she held while attending college.
"The girls were so sweet and kind," said their stepmother, Wendy Uhl. "Jessica loved her sister. They were a lot alike, looks and demeanor and interests."
Wendy Uhl said the State Police had briefed her husband on the accident.
"The trooper said it's a no-fault situation. It's just a tragic accident."
Jessica Uhl graduated from Collinsville High School in May. She was a good student and active in leadership positions such as the student executive board, which plans class activities such as the prom. She was living with her mother while attending Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She wanted to, one day, work in public relations, said her longtime boyfriend, Jordan Varner.
Kelli was an eighth-grader at Collinsville Middle School.
Ashley Kusmierczak, 18, who had known Jessica since the fourth grade, said she started receiving text messages Friday about the fatal crash.
"Everyone is just so shocked and can't even begin to fathom how this happened," she said.
Kristen Deterding, 18, of Maryville, was Jessica's best friend. Kristen's younger sister, Kaitlyn Drost, 13, was Kelli's best friend. On Saturday, Kaitlyn and Kristen mourned the loss of their friends by sharing stories and putting together photo scrapbooks.
"Jessica was all about happiness," Kristen Deterding said. "She never let anything bring her down. She and Kelli were the exact same. They were always having a good time."
Dennis Craft, superintendent of Collinsville Unit 10 Schools, said that the district would have counselors on hand Monday to meet with staff and students.
Visitation for the sisters will be held Tuesday November 27th from 3 to 8pm at Kassly Mortuary in Fairview Heights. A funeral mass will be held Wednesday November 28th from 9:30 to 10:30AM at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Collinsville.
- ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
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this has been a tragic accident. Even if you didn't know Jessica, or Kelli be respectful and pass it along, it may change the way alot of people look at life. Nobody never wanted them to go, they didnt deserve it. If you were close to either of the Uhl sisters, i'm truely sorry, i can't even imagine what its like right now for you.
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