Community mourns high school freshman's death

The Iowa State Patrol continues to investigate the cause of a fatal crash, while an entire community mourns the death of a high school student.

Clear Creek Amana students worked with grief counselors Tuesday to cope with the death of 14-year-old Mackenzie Lown.  The CCA freshman was one of six students involved in a two-vehicle crash Monday night just west of of Tiffin on Highway 6.

According to the State Patrol, the six teens in the car were on their way back from cross country practice.

Lown died at the scene.  The other five people were taken to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Because Lown was a freshman, she was friends with people at both the middle school and high school, so grief counselors were on hand at both schools to help students.

The "Remembering Mackenzie Lown" memorial page on Facebook already has a couple dozen comments, including one from Kristin Espinoza Brack: "Rest in peace Mackenzie.  You were always such a bubbly and lively young lady in my lifeskills classes."   Terri Tim Parris wrote, "The cross country team will never be the same."

Grant Wood AEA counselors spread throughout the Clear Creek Amana school district to console students.  That's because so many students knew Lown because of her extra- curricular activities.

"We have a room set up, a couple spaces actually, where students are able to leave their classrooms upon request to work with counselors and the crisis room that's there to help them,” said Clear Creek-Amana Superintendent Denise Shares.

Meanwhile, ISP troopers went back to the scene of the crash on Highway 6 near Half Moon Avenue, just outside of Tiffin.

"You can imagine, with six people in the car, how much (talking) was going on and distractions to the driver and so on,” said Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Bob Cox.

The tire marks on Highway 6 are still visible showing where the car went out of control, crossed the center line and struck a minivan in oncoming traffic. One detail is also clear.

"The victim was in the left rear seat, and that was the side of the car that collided with the van,” said Sgt. Cox.

Now the community is trying to move forward.

"Certainly our condolences go out to her family because of the grief they too are experiencing,” said Shares.

Grief counselors will remain at the middle school and high school throughout the week.  Of the five students injured in the same car as Lown, three were treated and released from the hospital.  Two others remain in fair condition.

If you would like to send your condolences to the Lown family,

click here.