Big Lake, Minnesota — Loved ones continued to show up Monday at a makeshift memorial set up around a tree along Highway 25 in Big Lake, where two 17-year-old boys lost their lives and a third was critically injured Sunday. High-speed collision.
Anthony “Tony” Crider and Donovan Gobel are deceased and Charles Gabrelsick survives, all three boys are from Elk River.
” [Tony] “His family is all around,” said Eddie Drag, a co-worker of Carder's who stopped by the memorial Monday to offer his condolences. “The pain and heartache I'm feeling right now is primarily with his family.”
Drag says this sudden loss is changing his perspective.
“I've been holding my son tighter lately. I've been trying to really cherish the time I have with him. I think that's my way of honoring Tony,” Drag said.
Gabrelsik was the only survivor of the accident, and friends told WCCO he spent many of his days at Elk River Ice Arena, where he practiced and played games with the Junior Gold boys' team.
“Charles and I have been good friends for the last few years, ever since he started playing hockey at Elk River,” said Lukas Dahlberg, who works at Elk River Arena.
Since the accident, the Elk River hockey community has donated more than $16,000 to aid in Gabrelsik's recovery.
“How much [the GoFundMe] “He's grown and it's been really great to see how much the community has supported him and the three boys involved,” Dahlberg said.
Gabrelsik's family told WCCO that the 17-year-old is still unable to breathe on his own or move his arms or legs.
Dahlberg remains hopeful of a recovery.
“He's a warrior. He's one of the toughest guys I know. He's tough, but he's also very sweet, one of the nicest kids I've ever met,” Dahlberg said.
On Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Elk River High School announced it will open common areas for students to come together and support one another during this difficult time.
Note: This article has been edited to correct Charles Gabrelsik's status.
