Othello SD classes dismissed early Friday to accommodate memorial service

May 5-OTHELLO - Classes at Othello High School and McFarland Middle School will be dismissed at 11 a.m. Friday to allow the OHS gym to be used during the afternoon for a community service for three students who were killed in a collision April 25.

Othello Superintendent Pete Perez said the early release followed conversations with the families of the three 15-year-old girls.

"We wanted to make sure we could accommodate their needs," he said.

High school and MMS bus routes are scheduled for 11:30 p.m. and Perez said elementary classes will be dismissed at noon. Preschool and transitional kindergarten classes are canceled for Friday.

The girls were killed when the truck they were in rolled on Bench Road one mile south of Othello April 28. All three girls were ejected from the vehicle.

Presiliano Perez-Pineda, 19, Othello, pleaded not guilty to three counts of vehicular homicide Monday in Adams County Superior Court in connection with the collision. Perez-Pineda allegedly ran into the back of the truck with his car.

The collision affected not only the families of the girls, their friends and fellow OHS students, but the entire town of Othello, Perez said.

"Every school had some level of impact," he said.

Businesses, individuals and organizations have combined to help support the families and people around them, he said. Othello residents and businesses have organized fundraisers and support has been provided by non-profit and county agencies based in Othello.

"Lots of resources and support have come from our community," Perez said. "We've seen them come together to help in any way they can."

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