One-car accident north of Osceola claims teen's life

By the Polk County News
Friday, Dec 07, 2007 - 04:54:15 pm CST

OSCEOLA — Alaina M. Hegi, 17, of rural Columbus died as the result of a one-vehicle accident early Friday morning north of Osceola.

Polk County Sheriff Dwaine Ladwig said Hegi was traveling south on Q Road just south of 140th Road about 7:35 a.m. when she apparently lost control of her 1996 Pontiac Bonneville. The car rolled into the east ditch and landed upside down in water.

The vehicle was spotted by the driver of an Osceola school bus while on its morning route about 9 miles north and 1 mile east of Osceola. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Columbus Fire and Rescue responded to the scene. Several area farmers helped rescue workers remove the vehicle from the water.

Hegi was transported by a Columbus ambulance to Columbus Community Hospital. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Hegi, who was on her way to Osceola High School where she was a junior, was wearing a seat belt.

Funeral services are pending at McKown Funeral Home in Columbus.

The accident remains under investigation by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and the accident continues to be under investigation.

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sara s
Dec 7, 2007 1:40 PM
this girl went to my school she made everyone smile and well all miss her very much
Stephanie
Dec 7, 2007 1:47 PM
The young ladie who left us this moring will be missed. She was a smart young student who left a positive mark on life. We loved her dearly.
Angela
Dec 7, 2007 4:22 PM
My condolences...
sara s
Dec 7, 2007 4:23 PM
she was awsome and we cant get over her being gone we never thought it would ever happen to her or and1 in our school but it will so pepl be apresiative about wat u have
Michelle
Dec 7, 2007 4:56 PM
this child was my Aunts Daughter. I have a child her age, we are devistated! She was a good girl full of love and life! I know God'ds angels took her home to be with Him. She will always be loved and missed!
Kayla Pinney
Dec 7, 2007 5:02 PM
I didn't have any classes with Alaina this year but that past two years I have and she will be greatly missed by everyone. My condolences are with her family and friends.
Chase Z.
Dec 7, 2007 5:43 PM
she was my classroom helper last yr. and it was fun to see her but now i miss her and i hope she smiles above us
Anoymous Students of Osceola Public Schools
Dec 7, 2007 6:26 PM
When the announcment of Alaina's death reached my classroom today, all I could think about was how important a life is. Many of my friends, including myself, had tears in our eyes when we found out. I always wondered how these schools dealt with death, now I guess it is my turn to find out. It is very sad that God had to claim an innocent life today. My friends and I agree that things like this arn't suppose to happen in a small community, like Osceola. One of my friends was good freinds with Alaina and took it very hard.Alaina's best friend recently moved away, we don't know that she knows about the death or not.It is very sad that we have lost someone special.We hope that all people who read this will become aware of how valuble family is. And during this time of cold icy weather that we, the friends and peers of Alaina Hegi, ask that you remember to be cautious on the roads. We also ask you to keep Alaina in your prayers
Austin Gabriel`
Dec 7, 2007 6:30 PM
Alaina made everyone smile, she never made fum of anyone, please keep her in your prayers, she was a wonderful student and she will always be remembered.My sympathy goes to her family and friends.
Courtney Gabriel
Dec 7, 2007 6:33 PM
Alaina was my classroom helper last year and she was so sweet to me. I know that God will take care of her. I will miss her much. And I hope she will look down on everyone here and smile. My sympathy goes to everyone she knew.
kellie
Dec 7, 2007 6:47 PM
i know i dont know her but she was a good friend to all Osceola High School. i feel so srry for the people and we truly love her
Courtney
Dec 7, 2007 8:21 PM
Alaina M Hegi was my sdent ad last she was sweet and nice I was one of her friends at Osceola Public School and she had more friends besiad me @ my school all year long last year I knew her this year and last year @ my school.My class will miss her forever and ever @ the Osceola Public School.I hope her peants aren 't talking it are after their dautghers death this moring . Last year my class got into an accdents on our way home from our fild trip from Courney Elizabeth Gabriel Alaina M Hegi friend @ the Osceola Public Schools
Jessica Gabriel
Dec 7, 2007 8:27 PM
alaina was my friend, and student helper this year. we have lost someone special, we miss her.we feel bad for the ones closest to her. to show how much we care about alaina i will tell u sumthin that happened today,we filled 3 trash cans with kleenexs from our tears.all our class will remember her forever.my condolences to everyone...
Osceola 5thgradestudents
Dec 7, 2007 10:14 PM
AlianaM. Hega was are student aid a very special person. most important to me because the room would light up when she came in now she is sadly gone. are room is depressed with out aliana. never made fun of anyone for any reason.we will miss her very much
Danielle Loseke
Dec 8, 2007 12:33 AM
In fifth grade Alaina and I were really good friends last year when I moved out of Osceola Alaina and one of her friends started to click. She was a smart girl.. always kind and helpful.. always smiling! I was called out of class today and told to call my mom. She had a hard time telling me what happened. My of my friends were comforting as I replayed memories I had with Alaina. She is an amazing person and will never in a million years be forgotten.... Always and Forever In Our Hearts
cory sabata
Dec 8, 2007 7:01 AM
she was a really good friend to me im gunna miss her a lot i hope that its me or Als parents that tells kelsey so that she doesnt think its a joke or anything everyone at school but very few ppl was crying even teachers and even a few people that didnt get along with her even cried i felt sorry for those people because the left on a bad note with her but if they got to know her they could have seen how fun and nice she was she was a very understanding person and im sure that she doesnt hate anyone who hated her the last time i saw her she was trying to pt ice cubes down my shirt and she missed lol then i picked them up like the good person i am lol to throw them back at her lol then i had to go and i saw she was driving and i told her to be safe and that i would talk to her later i never got to ill miss you as will all of OHS R.I.P
Cassidy Goc
Dec 8, 2007 8:03 AM
Rest in Peace, Alaina. May the road rise up to meet you May the wind be always at your back May the sun shine warm upon your face And the rains fall soft upon your tracks May the hills come down to greet you May the rocks give shelter in the storm May the dust be soft beneath your feet And the dark give rest before the dawn And until we meet again, may god hold you in the palm of his hand.
Anonymous
Dec 8, 2007 8:10 AM
Alaina was a hard worker. and she could always put a smile on my face, no matter how bad my day was. she will always be loved, and missed. And i'd like to remind everyone to be careful out there when they are driving. use caution. remember that there might be ice out there. MISS YOU ALWAYS ALAINA! *my prayers are with her family!
Also ran
Dec 8, 2007 9:00 AM
I am crying today. My heart aches for her family. God help them at this time and always.
Dillon Houser
Dec 8, 2007 10:42 AM
I also knew Alaina she was a great friend to me I'll miss her very much.
Cassie Karst
Dec 8, 2007 11:40 AM
Alaina Hegi was a wonderful girl and I went to school with her... We miss u so much Alaina and u will always be in our hearts just like our other loved ones...
Sarah L
Dec 8, 2007 11:56 AM
Alaina was my cousin. We were like sisters. We havent seen eachother for a very long time, I wish I could have seen her again. I will miss her, and I know she's in a better place now.
OHS student*
Dec 8, 2007 12:54 PM
only God knows when you would go, none of us here will ever know. yesterday morning when i woke up i could of never imagined that Alaina would no longer be with us when i went to bed. Alaina always had a smile on her face..and even though i wasn't her best friend..i barely talked to her honestly..she will always be in my heart. no one deserves to die that young. i cryed..i cryed alot when i was told during class. i look around at my friends crying..and it just made me think alot about how each day we should treasure. how each moment we spend with any person we should cherish. i cryed for Alaina's family...and Alaina's closer friend..i cryed because Alaina will never get to grow up and experience the things we all want to. but then i thought about how Alaina is now an angel and is forever watching over us all. and maybe this is what God had planned for her all along. Alaina touched many people's life. her smile and her heart..will be missed so dearly. you never think things like this will happen. you only wish things like this never happened. Alaina i miss you and i only wish i would've got to know you better instead of walking right on by. forever and always-OHS student- and as He took your hand, all of us here couldn't help but cry, you'll be loved forever, and missed by so many. R.I.P Alaina Hegi
Jordan C.
Dec 8, 2007 4:28 PM
I knew Alaina for a short time at the REA camp in the summer. From what I saw from her was that she was a kind and very friendly person. The best we all can do is be happy for all that she did in her life time on earth and be happy that she is with God.
a osceola student
Dec 8, 2007 4:42 PM
alaina we will alaina we will miss you so much... i cant believe that this happened you were so young i started crying when i figured this out i couldn't stop but it kinda feels like you are in my heart with me and you always will be no matter what... i remember when you would come over to my house after school and do newpapers and my sister and i would always make fun of you since you haven't learned how to ride a bike.... i love seeing you at walmart... and coming to see you at subway and you would say how gross that i put almost all the vegtables... but i love u and miss you so much...
Kathe Beauvais
Dec 8, 2007 11:11 PM
Alaina went on a Mission Trip with St. Isidore youth to Red Lake, Mn. the summer before her freshman year. We usually want kids to be in 9th grade, but because Heather was going, Alaina was allowed to go.She was shy and quiet at first- but she really opened up with the little girls at kid's club. It was great to see God work in her that week. Alaina went to Brooklyn the next year. She was unable to go last year- but when I saw Mary Kay (Her Mom) in Menards, she asked which sites we were going to, and said Alaina might go again this summer...
Felicia Houser
Dec 8, 2007 11:54 PM
Alaina was one of my close friends. We both live in duncan lakes so we hung out. Alaina was one of the brightest girls i have ever met. She was always nice to everyone and always had such a great attitude. She has had such an impact on mine and so many other lives because she was such a great person. I think that everyone can learn something from her. That it is better to be your own person than to be a follower. Which was one thing i really liked about her. She had such a great personality and was and still is loved by so many people. When i heard about her death i cried and i probably still will. But it least i know she's in a better place. I feel so bad for her family. But i will always remember her and all of the fun times we had. I think everyone who knew her loved her very much and misses her. I know i do. I WILL NEVER FORGET HER BECAUSE SHE IS FOREVER ENGRAVED IN MY HEART! R.I.P. Alaina
Skip Chatterson & Heather Stewart
Dec 9, 2007 10:34 AM
Deepest sympathy to the family. Alaina is now an angel with God and Jesus - she will forever be looking over everyone. God bless.
Sara Cole
Dec 9, 2007 8:32 PM
I didnt know Alaina that much but i have heard stories about her like how she could always put a smile on anybodys face and how great she was and she was a great singer and just to see her leave like that is just so hard. all i did on that friday after i heard was cry that was all i could do. and now she is with Jesus and watching over everybody. We all love her and will always have a spot in my heart.
Annonymous
Dec 9, 2007 11:34 PM
Alaina, Alaina, Alaina. Beautiful smile. Beautiful heart. Thank you Alaina for the inspiration you have been to me, an adult. You have shown how to be genuine and sincere with all people around you. You loved without judgement and were truly present to those in your presence. There was a maturity about you that surpassed your age. *Thank you, Mom (Mary Kay) for giving Alaina the guidance & love from home to become the beautiful girl she was. My heart too, shares in your pain. Beautiful smile, beautiful heart... live on in God's loving arms.
kellie
Dec 10, 2007 1:12 PM
i feel so srry for this tragedy and this could of happen to anyone of OHS, but all of us should rely on a good friend to OHS. so for a reminder to all OHS we should truly keep this to OHS and she will always be in our hearts.
loving person
Dec 10, 2007 1:50 PM
The tears may dry and the years may fly. But your memories of you will never die. We will love you forever Alaina. I know how everyone says that you are in a better place. I know that is true but that still won't stop the pain of knowing that you won't ever let us see that beautiful smile face to face. God let your soul rise with the wind and watch over us through our sad years with out you.
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