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Brooklyn Triplett: Tishomingo crash victim remembered as amazing friend & avid softball player

Triplett was among the six high school students killed in a crash on Tuesday, March 22, after their four-seater car collided with a semi-truck in Tishomingo

TISHOMINGO, OKLAHOMA: Six high school students were killed in a crash on Tuesday, March 22, after their four-seater car collided with a semi-truck in Tishomingo. Brooklyn Triplett, one of the victims of the crash, was a student at Tishomingo High School, Oklahoma. The victims in the crash included two 17-year-olds, three 15-year-olds, and one 16-year-old driver.

Besides Triplett, the other victims of the wreck were Gracie Machado, Austin Holt, Memory Wilson, Madison Robertson, and Addison Gratz. Bobby Waitman, Tishomingo Public School's superintendent, released a statement on Facebook, "We feel it is imperative that we inform you that our District has suffered a great loss today involving high school students. Our hearts are broken, and we are grieving with our students and staff. We have counselors available to students presently. We also have space prepared at Tishomingo High School with counselors available through the evening. Schools will be in session tomorrow at each campus, but our focus will be the emotional well-being of our students."

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The Johnston County Sheriff's Office said they were called out to a wreck at the intersection of US 377, State Highway 22, and State Highway 99. Police said a semi-truck was headed south on US-377 and a car was headed east on OK-22 when the car stopped at a stop sign, attempted to make a turn, and was hit by the semi. This caused the car to move back about 30 yards from the intersection where the collision occurred, reports KXII.

The driver of the semi-truck has been identified as Valendon Burton. The 51-year-old is from Burneyville, Oklahoma. He was wearing a seatbelt at the time and was not injured due to the crash. No charges have yet been filed against him. "OHP continues to investigate the fatal crash in Tishomingo on Tuesday, March 22nd. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families involved and the entire community. Our Traffic Homicide Unit is conducting a thorough investigation that could last weeks as they comb through witness statements, event data recorders, and any video that surfaces. In addition, the National Transportation Safety Board is sending five investigators to work in coordination with our troopers. Any loss of life is tragic and we will continue to thoroughly investigate," read Oklahoma Highway Patrol's statement.

Who was Brooklyn Triplett?

Triplett was an avid softball player on many softball teams, including the Knockouts, Extreme, Crushers, and Chaos, and was a cheerleader for Davis. The GoFundMe fundraiser for Triplett has raised around $1440 out of its $5000 goal. Her family, friends, and well-wishers have posted condolences, messages, and tributes on social media.

The fundraiser reads, "My family has a heavy heart as we have received the news that one of K's best childhood friends has went to be with the Lord. Brooklyn was an amazing kid, she loved her family and friends wholeheartedly. She was a loyal friend and one hell of a ball player! She will be missed deeply by our family. We are making this to help the family with anything they may need at this time. Brooklyn was a cheerleader for Davis (DKA), played on many softball teams Crushers, Choas, Extreme, and the Knockouts. Please help us help this family in one of the hardest and heartbreaking times. TIA!"

One tweet read, "This is hard to process. OHP tells me 6 teenagers were killed in a crash in Tishomingo today. Troopers and a tow truck are still at the scene. @koconews." Another said, "Our hearts, prayers and support are with the entire Tishomingo community in the wake of this unspeakable tragedy. We grieve this immense loss as parents, teachers, classmates and school communities across Oklahoma."

A third read, "Flags are at half-staff this morning outside of Tishomingo High School following the tragic death of six teen girls. Some of the victims attend school here. A semi hit the car the girls were in, according to Oklahoma troopers."