Worried Dad Sees Crash, Calls Son; Trooper Answers

A 16-year-old boy in North Carolina has been charged with reckless driving after a crash that killed two friends and critically injured a third, reports the Dispatch of Lexington. Police say Jordan Deal, who survived the crash and is in fair condition, took a curve too fast. The crash occurred three days before Thanksgiving, less than a mile from the home of one of the passengers who was killed, 18-year-old John Leonard. That proximity led to poignant texts from Leonard's father, reports WFMY.

"Where are you?" was the first, followed by this three minutes later: "John answer me right now. There has been a very serious car wreck below the church... air care is here now... I want to know it isn't you." When Jeffrey Leonard got no response, he tried calling his only son—only to have the phone answered by a state trooper. (More car crash stories.)