Alesha Roehl, left, and Fred Alexander (Photos courtesy Lakeville School District)
BURNSVILLE, Minn. - Cody McKinnon wants everyone to know who his friend Fred Alexander was. He wrote Fred's name on a cross and placed it along Interstate 35 so no one would ever forget what happened to him.
"I never thought he'd die so young," McKinnon said.
Alexander, just 16, was riding with four other friends down Buck Hill Road when the driver lost control of the car, rolled down an embankment and landed on Interstate 35. Alexander was declared dead on the scene. Alesha Roehl, just 17, died five hours later at HCMC. Friends say the other passengers and the driver are still in the hospital.
Fred's sister, Gabby McClenney, isn't sure what happened during the car ride. All she knows is that her little brother wanted to spend the day with friends.
"He just said I'm leaving, I'm going to go hang out. I said okay be back," she said.
Summer was supposed to be filled with lazy days and friends, but instead this one is full is pain and loss for McKinnon.
"It just sucks that he's gone. I hate it," he said.
The Minnesota State Patrol has not released the name of the driver or the other passengers. The incident is still under investigation, but excessive speed is believed to be a factor.
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