Butler County parents on edge for prom night after Monroe fatal crash

When Kristy Duritsch’s sons attended Madison High School’s prom earlier this month, she was “a nervous wreck” from the time they left home until she finally heard their car in the driveway.

As the mother of two teenage boys, she said their safety “is always on my mind.”

And as executive director of the Safety Council of Southwestern Ohio, she understands the dangers of teen driving.

More parents may be sharing Duritsch’s nervousness after four Monroe High School students were injured — one fatally — in a single-car crash Friday night on the way to their prom.

Several local high schools have proms scheduled in early May, and Holli Morrish, communications director at Talawanda Schools, said she addressed driving safety with her son, a junior. He will be attending prom on May 5.

She reviewed driving speeds and being “a good influence” with her son.

She called news of the Monroe accident “devastating” and said “my heart broke” for students and their families.

“I can’t imagine hearing that news,” she said.

She said many Butler County high schools are located in rural areas and the roads, at times, can be curvy and hilly. It takes just a few seconds for “the wonderful and fun” prom experience to turn tragic, she said.

“These kids think they’re invincible,” Morrish said.

On Saturday night, less than 24 hours after the Monroe crash, Morrish said her son drove his girlfriend on a date. It was an “uneasy” time until he got home safely, she said.

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