Death of 5 young men devastates LaPlace, LA community

[LaPlaceFF]

from WWL TV

Death of 5 young men devastates community

06:33 AM CDT on Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Scott Satchfield / Eyewitness News

They formed a life-long friendship. They were a band of brothers.
Saturday afternoon -- it all took a tragic turn after a head on collision at Blind River near the St John and Livingston Parish line.
Passengers in one boat all escaped serious injury.
But for the six young men aboard the other, it was a much different story.
Killed in the accident were Ken Michael Horzelski, LaPlace, 22; Joshua William McNulty, LaPlace, 20; Chance Michael Millet, Lutcher, 25; Stanley Borne, Jr., Reserve, 22; and Patrick Timothy McTopy, Jr., LaPlace, 23.
McTopy’s is the son of St. John Parish Chief Administrator, Patrick McTopy, Sr.
The lone survivor, 21-year-old Brandon Prudhomme is still in critical condition, and fighting for his life.
It's a tragedy Diana Mondebello will carry -- always.
Her son, the seventh member of the group, was supposed to be on the boat that day, until a last minute change in plans.
"They were like brothers. You couldn't have found a group of boys that were closer than actual brothers," Mondebello said. “It’s devastating. It’s beyond devastating.”
Monday, flags at the parish governmental complex in LaPlace flew at half staff -- a symbol of the toll this accident has taken on the community.
St. John President Bill Hubbard says he knew almost all of the victims, and even lives across the street from one of the young men.
"(We’re in) Complete shock you know, we're emotional," Hubbard said. "It's personal. This is personal. These are my friends and their family are my friends. I'm just so emotional. I'm upset for the families. I really am. I feel for them."
And around LaPlace, it was more of the same.
The flag at St. Charles Catholic School also flew at half staff. Four of the victims were graduates.
"These young men, they're part of the family tradition and the culture here in our parish. It's a tremendous loss for our community. It truly is," said Hubbard.
While the LaPlace area mourned, the investigation into the crash continued.
The victims were hit by a boat significantly larger than the one they were riding in, but authorities say they don't know if speed was a factor.
It's a tragedy people around LaPlace say will linger.
For Diana Mondebello, things just won't be the same.
"We're gonna miss them. It's a devastation. Each family has lost their child, but this particular house here has lost them all as a group. It's hard," she said.

[CajunMama]

What a tragic accident for your community. My sympathies go out to all the families and friends. I notice you and one of the gentlemen share the same last name. Special prayers to you if he is indeed your relative.

[vbhoutex]

I will be saying special prayers for all who have been affected by this tragedy. As Cathy said, even more ramped up prayers for you and yours if indeed one of them was a relative of yours.

[LaPlaceFF]

A lot of people here are talking about it.

To CajunMama: He is probably a distant cousin of mine.

[DaylilyDawn]

Prayers going out for the familys involved in this tragedy

[Ptarmigan]

I am sorry to hear that. I know how a many people getting killed in a car accident is bad. Houston feels your pain in LaPlace. Condolences to their family and friends.

[tropicana]

so so terrible to hear