A morning ride on a 4-wheeler, Friday, February 8, ended in tragedy for two of DeLeon’s most popular teenagers -- Paige Sanders, 15, and Mike Reyes, 17 -- when their ATV skidded into the path of a Comanche County dump truck driven by Bobby Joe Dickey, also of DeLeon.

According to Department of Public Safety Trooper Scott Rountree, Sanders and Reyes were both transported to Comanche County Medical Center where Reyes, who was driving, was treated for minor injuries and released. Sanders, who suffered massive head trauma and multiple broken bones, was transported by helicopter to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth where she died Sunday morning.

The accident occurred on CR 435, near where Dickey had been working on a bridge. No tickets were issued and no charges were filed. Trooper Rountree noted that Dickey appeared to have “tried to avoid the collision” as did Reyes.

The family of Paige Sanders announced that her organs were donated, and a Fox 4 News report Monday night stated that six people had received potentially life-saving transplants thanks to the family’s act of kindness.

Paige, the daughter of Linda Sanders, and Ed and Debbie Sanders, was a DHS cheerleader and a member of the Lady Bearcats volleyball and basketball teams. The basketball play-off game against Valley Mills Monday night was dedicated to Paige’s memory.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, February 15, 2008 at the DeLeon High School Gymnasium, with visitation Thursday, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. also at the gym. A complete obituary will appear in next week’s Free Press.

According to Dr. Randy Mohundro, DISD superintendent, school will dismiss at 12 noon Friday, with the buses running at that time.