Tragedy Befalls SPC Students Twice Within
One Week
Monica Rose, sports editor
South
Plains
College
is mourning two tragedies that happened in a one-week span.
A
recent SPC graduate and another student who just started at SPC were killed
in separate car accidents.
On
Feb. 4, Kelli Amanda Herd was heading back to the SPC campus when Allen
Lockett of Levelland was heading east in the westbound lane on Texas Highway
114. The two vehicles collided head on, and both Lockett and Herd were
killed instantly. The accident remains under investigation.
“Kelli
was a very thoughtful, kind young woman,” said Leslie Downs, Herd’s English
teacher at SPC. “Kelli is the kind of person who helps me remember why I
started teaching in the first place.”
Herd
was nine days shy of her 19th birthday. She graduated from Clear
Creak High school in League City, where she was involved with her high
school newspaper, debate team, theater, and student council. Herd was living
at the North Sue Spencer residence hall and was a roommate and close friend
of Keylle Burnett. She planned to transfer to Texas Tech University in the
fall to continue the family legacy of being a member of the Pi Phi sorority,
just like her mother and grandmother.
Herd’s
funeral was held Feb 8. A candlelight vigil was held in her memory at the
Baker Center later that evening.
One
week after Herd’s accident, former SPC student Amber Linn Menefee was
heading home after visiting a friend when Erin Nicole Reagan was driving the
wrong way on West Loop 289 in Lubbock, striking Menefee’s car head on.
Menefee, 21, was killed instantly. Reagan, 20, suffered minor scrapes and
was arrested at the scene, charged with intoxicated manslaughter. Her
blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit, according to the police
reports.
Menefee recently graduated from SPC and was continuing her education at
Texas Tech University.
While
at SPC, Menefee was employed by Dane Dewbre, associate dean of college
relations, on the Levelland campus.
“Amber
was one of those people who we where really excited about,” said Dewbre as
he held back tears. “ She use to babysit for me and my wife, and it has been
really hard on us. She was pretty special to us, and she was a very unique
individual.”
Menefee
was a graduate of Andrews High School. She had just celebrated her 21st
birthday in December.
Her
dream was to help others by becoming an early childhood educator. Though
Menefee graduated from SPC in December of 2005, she left behind many
friends.
“I
don’t understand how someone could be here one moment and gone the next,”
said Yvette Flores, a very close friend of Menefee.
Many
will miss her. Menefee’s funeral was held on Feb. 16 in Andrews. A
candlelight vigil was held in her memory on Feb. 15 at SPC’s Smallwood
apartments.
The
SPC counselors’ office is ready and willing to talk and counsel anyone who
feels the need after these tragedies.
Though
they do not offer long-term therapy, but they will help find therapy for any
one who needs long-term therapy.
(Editors Note: Though I did not know Kelli Herd, I did know Amber Menefee.
My pain goes out to all of those who knew the two young ladies. I hope that
with this article people will realize that you are not invincible, so don’t
drink and drive, fasten your seat belt and follow the speed limit signs. If
you don’t believe me ask the family and friends of Kelli Herd and Amber
Menefee. We love you both, and God Bless.)
