Does anyone have an update on how they are doing?

I just want to wish a speedy and full recovery to the 7 young people injured in the accident. It is a very sad, unfortunate situation. Sometimes things happen in life where no one is to blame. Life through the eyes of an adult is much different than through the eyes of a teenager. One thing though, the license restrictions when my son got his DL, about 4 years ago, were for the 1st 6 months after he got his DL, when he was 16, only one person in the car. After that no restrictions. Hope that helps clarify.
Alexis, I dont know you, but send my prayers and thoughts to your brother and your family and the families of the others. May the pain lessen everyday and the healing be begin soon.

It was an ACCIDENT. Accidents happen. We all just need to be thankful that everyone in the car is eventually going to be alright. I don't understand why people are trying to put the blame on this person or that person. I especially don't understand why people would do that when they don't know all the details of what really happened. It makes me really sad to see that someone decided to make up a story about the homeowner chasing the car. If you knew the homeowners or the full story, you would know that this is completely incorrect. Instead of making up stories and criticizing, please just pray for the families and for the kids involved to have a speedy and full recovery from this.

GOD bless these students! Let's all pray hard for them as they move onto a quick recovery!

I cannot express my sadness for what has happened to these kids. I am so sorry, and they are all in my prayers. I will have to say how hurt I was when reading some of these comments. I am the daughter of the homeowners, and also a Big Foot alum. I would like to make it clear that these students were NOT being chased, and how furious I was when people were talking about that. My parents have had kids go to Big Foot for the past 13 years, my mom works at the school, and they know how homecoming weeks works. Not only did I and all my friends tp, but also my other three siblings. They DON'T care if our house gets toilet papered, and they would for sure never "chase" the kids doing it. Think about who you might be hurting when posting things on this site. My parents did nothing wrong. It already hurts them deeply that this happened to kids leaving our house, so please refrain from stating your false comments, and putting the fault on them. Thanks.

I,for one, am NOT specifically blaming kids or parents, personally, for what happens sometimes and I'm very sorry this happened..
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The lingering question, though, is why do even ADULTS accept that for anything to be "
great fun", it has to involve breaking the law or incredible stupidity???

I have been angered by many of these blogs, but this one takes the cake. Do any of you who are attacking these kids and their families know what you are doing? Leave them alone. They all feel bad enough for the silly choice they made. That's all it was...a SILLY choice. And yes, at some point the majority of all high school kids will go t p-ing. I did. It was fun as heck and my daugher who is a senior goes now. I know it is against the law, but I would rather my kid break the law t p-ing than doing drugs or drinking or partying. T p-ing is harmless, and yes messy.

And emb1878...I am young..or old, not sure, I am 37. All the kids love coming to our house and no we never allow alcohol or drugs or smoking. It's people like on this blog who get all over kids cases for simple fun that make them go out and do other stuff like drugs and alcohol. You better give kids a break before you push them away. And back off these families from Big Foot, including the 'angry homeowner'.

Wow this blog is just blowing me away!! I am a Alumni of BFHS class of 81 we had a very popular girl riding on the hood of a car in the High School Parking Lot during our Bon-Fire for Home Coming get flipped off and put into a coma for months....all everyone could do was pray for her and hope we got her back...she came back and the blame was not pointing fingers non-stop trying to put blame on others...it was a ACCIDENT...Kids being KIDS!! I now work in the school district of Delavan, and guess what kids are still being kids....And yes I have kids one still in High School...input the parenting rules and laws yes we do does he abide by them???? Wish I owned a crystal ball to tell me...It's called TRUST and we all TRUST our kids until they give us a reason not too. But one thing I do know Kids are Kids and ACCIDENTS do happen!!! Thoughts and Prayers to ALL of the Families and Friends involved. Lessons learned we've all been there and if we don't learn from them guess what they will eventually catch up to us!!

The VanVleet family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and kindness during this difficult time. Please continue praying for all the children and families involved.

How many parents,faculity members and students of Big foot got a good night's sleep last night ? Most of us were up with our kids who are Big foot students waiting for any news on their friends. Parents - hug your kids tonight - because you can- they are not in a hospital beds- they are home with you. Maybe,it's not such a big deal that they didn't clean their rooms his week - I bet if you asked any of the accident victim's parents they would gladly take a messy room over what they are dealing with now. The Big Foot community needs to rally for theses kids and families - the next time it could be any of us. Keep the prayers going as these kids and families face many long days ahead.

It might interest people to know that the homeowner was NEVER angry or irate and did NOT chase the students in the car. You might ask the BFHS students who did NOT get in the car how they were treated by the homeowner. You will then know the homeowner NEVER left the property. Rumors fly so fast and rampant before people get their facts straight. Posting comments here can certainly hurt rather than help if people don't know what they're talking about.

Wisconsin Law prohibits more than 1 passenger in the car with a 16 or 17 year old driver for the probationary period of 9 months OR turn 18 Whichever comes first, so it is possible his restrictions was lifted. Not to say that he should've had that many passengers in the car to begin with.

There was NO alcohol involved! Read the Lake Geneva Regional News online and see for yourself. Stop condeming these kids with half truths and hearsay!!!! Pray for them instead

and yes there are restrictions on youth driver's licenses until age 18 they cannot have more than 1 unrelated passenger in the car..and with good reason!

My son had asked if he could go out TPing last night..I am so glad I said no..
I hope it isn't true but I heard alcohol was involved..

couldn't have said it better TheKid. My thoughts go out to the family and I hope for a speedy recovery of all the kids. I lost my 15 year old nephew in a car accident in 1995, they were on the way to decorate the school gym for his sisters graduation. All the driver did was take his eyes off the road for 2 seconds to wave to some girls and Andy was dead because they slammed into the back of a fuel transport truck, that's all it takes. Stop blaming the parents and calling them bad, they can't watch them 24/7!!!!!!

I am currently a bigfoot student, and one of the passengers, Alexander Newman, is an extremely close friend. This morning i went to visit my old grade school, because we had a late start [meaning we dont start classes until 9:30]. When i entered the building i said hello to many lower-classmen that i haven't seen in a while, and was happy to be in my old school again. Then i decide to go to the second floor to visit the teachers. As i was going up the stairs, i saw my very close friend Tyler. I greeted him with an excited "Heyy!", not knowing the horrific news he was about to tell me. As soon as he saw me, he made a serious, and deppressed face,& then delivered the unbelievable news to me that Alex had gotten in a car accident, along with other upper-classmen. After i heard those words come out, my heart skipped a beat, and i got shivers up my spine. After i got done speaking to him, i ran to the 2nd floor, to get more info. I Asked a victims brother, not knowing yet that his sister was involved, if he knew anything else about it. Then when he told me that his sister was also involved in it, i froze. After speaking to many students there and finding out a little more of what happened, i went back home to call the hospital of where he had been staying at. I just called to ask what condition he was in and how he was doing, and ended up speaking to him, which i was gratefull for. After he described what had happened, i said "thank god that everyone ended up alive, unfortunately there were many terrible injuries". After ariving at school later, everyone was told to go to their homerooms for a brief message. The Teachers delievered the horrible & disturbing news. Most people had been caught by suprise and made facial expressions as if they had seen a ghost. Durring the duration of the rest of the day, everyone was quiet and depressed, and they didn't seem the same. Even though there were no fatalities, the fact that people really very close to us had a tramatic thing happen to them, and have possibly permanent injuries, made everyone feel horrible. Durring the day, you could feel the absences of these 7 students, even if you usually dont see them durring the day. Without them, the school day did not feel the same. Everyone at bigfoot; Us students, the parents, and faculty, miss you all and hope for you to get well soon.

I am currently a bigfoot student, and one of the passengers, Alexander Newman, is an extremely close friend. This morning i went to visit my old grade school, because we had a late start [meaning we dont start classes until 9:30]. When i entered the building i said hello to many lower-classmen that i haven't seen in a while. Then i decide to go to the second floor to visit the teachers. As im going up the stairs, i see my very close friend Tyler. I greet him with an excited "Heyy!", not knowing the horrific news he was about to tell me. When he delivered the unbelievable news to me that Alex had gotten in a car accident, along with other upper-classmen, my heart skipped a beat, and i got shivers up my spine. After i got done speaking to him, i ran to the 2nd floor, to get more info. I Asked a victims brother, not knowing yet that his sister was involved, if he knew anything else about it. Then when he told me that his sister was also involved in it, i froze. After speaking to many students there and finding out a little more of what happened, i went back home to call the hospital of where he had been staying at. I just called to ask what condition he was in and how he was doing, and ended up speaking to him, which i was gratefull for. After he described what had happened, i said "thank god that everyone ended up alive, unfortunately there were many terrible injuries". After ariving at school later, everyone was told to go to their homerooms for a brief message. The Teachers delievered the horrible & disturbing news. Most people had been caught by suprise and made facial expressions as if they had seen a ghost. Durring the duration of the rest of the day, everyone was quiet and depressed, and they didn't seem the same. Even though there were no fatalities, the fact that people really very close to us had a tramatic thing happen to them, and have possibly permanent injuries, made everyone feel horrible. Durring the day, you could feel the absences of these 7 students, even if you usually dont see them durring the day. Without them, the school day did not feel the same. Everyone at bigfoot; Us students, the parents, and faculty, miss you all and hope for you to get well soon.

This is yet ANOTHER one of those things that was no-doubt started and considered "fun" by a complete ignoramus a number of years ago, and "adults" since have totally lacked the sense and intelligence to inform students of how *DUMB* it is.

This is John VanVleet's sister again. I would like to tell everyone praying how much our family appreciates it. All the calls offering help and concerned parents is why I like "small-town" living. The ignorance is why I hate it. The latest update I have is that the 5 kids not flown to Milwaukee are going to be fine (physically) and I know my brother is going to be OK. But please keep praying!

I agree with SEASONS, its called TRESPASSING....and just WHEN did such a dumb thing get started and by whom??
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Fun????...please...and definitely the opposite of "creative"
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How many "schools" know that kids are going to try to do this and don't take steps to discourage it?...that should tell you something about the officials of a "school" that would just sit by and say nothing.

My thoughts and prayers are with these teens and their families. My concern is that with all questions regarding the parents' whose childern were involved in this tradegy responsibilities in this incident, ONE parent seems to be omitted....the alleged,angry homeowner whose vigilante-like involvement was ultimately responsible for a serious automobile accident. Is this person (if he or she actually exixts) going to be charged with such crimes as stealing a car, driving recklessly and the resulting accident due to the high speed chase that he or she initiated?

It's pretty sad when an article about a car accident becomes a debate of fault and responsibility.

I used to, but don't anymore, live in Walworth. I know how rumors spread. Check your facts before you post things (including rumors and "I heards") about the kids, their parents, or the alleged angry homeowner. Get over your small town politics. You're not the ones in high school.

I'm going to emphasis the word ACCIDENT again in case anyone missed it.

I give my kids sips of alcohol every once in awhile, wine coolers, not the whole bottle, just a few sips if they ask. Does this make me a bad parent? I think not. Kids will be kids and hopefully live long enough to understand to NOT do it again. I can recall 2 instances as a passenger in a car I have been in when 16-19 years old when I was lucky to make it out alive. Lucky for me I lived and no accident. I learned from my mistakes to NOT drive with each of those 2 separate drivers as a passenger ever again. One was going over 120 mph and the other incident going about 60 mph and dropped the tranny into reverse going at hwy. speed with a load of passengers in the car. Let's hope all the kids are going to be O.K. and the entire school kids, not just those involved, learn from this and be able to grow up. 4 people from my High School lost their lives while I was in school from driving accidents that could have been avoided by either speeding, doing stupid things, or driving drunk. Lets hope the parents (and kids with drivers license) read my message and all parents should talk to their children about not being in this circumstance in the first place.

PLEASE - stop the madness! NOBODY is perfect, at one time or another, each of us has made a bad decision. As adults, we need to teach kids compassion for others, and not to break the law, and for the record, I DO think TP'ing is HARMLESS. Stop this blame game on this blog, instead, say a prayer that all the kids/families involved are ok.

Sometimes people, not just teenagers make bad decisions. Decisions that we regret and ultimately pay for for the rest of our lives. Where is the compassion for the children and families involved in this tragedy? I have a teenage daughter with a driver license and although I would like to believe she is always a safe driver, I know better. After all, I was a teenager once too and remember the fun and excitement of Homecoming week can just take over our "common sense" side and make us a little wild and crazy. I hope all of you finger pointers and stone throwers sit there in your perfect little worlds, pretending that you have never made a poor decision in your lives don't live in glass houses. God forbid this happen to one of your children or a sister or a cousin or a neighbor kid you have watched grown up. It's a tragic accident that can't be undone and its even more tragic that instead of praying for these children, you condemn them. Shame on the lot of you!

Hey SEASONS!..are you saying that you always go 65mph on the interstate, because going 66 is against the law. Don't be ignorant. You never toilet papered? If you have kids, they never toilet papered? Funny how you don't even know me and think that just because I find toilet papering harmless I would give my children alcohol? You are way wrong.

Perfect people... toilet papter is harmless... omg!!! Toilet papering is against the law, its wrong, its a mess!!!!! So you are saying its ok 'luvmykids' for your kids, and all kids to break the law.. its harmless... oh its all in good fun. What are you thinking, You're probably one of the many parents that will give their kids alcohol. If these kids were not out toilet papering this would have never happened, but it did. This town needs to learn from this and not let this mistake happen again. I pray for the kids and their families.

Again just kids we are forgetting that people are in pain right now. Stop judging, but again the people on these blogs are better then everyone else. I am sure the homeowner is feeling bad right about now also, I know I would.

Just so you know, the second car was left behind at the home that was being toilet papered. Last I checked, the kids were being chased by the angry homeowner! For all you "perfect" people, oh that's right there is nobody perfect. They freaked and all jumped in the same car to take off. The way I hear it, the angry homeowner got his hands on the keys that were left in the second vehicle. Who's to blame? Toilet papering is harmless. You try to tell people that you are perfect parents and your children are perfect, see how many people believe you.

Marissa... Obviously I was a teenager, but it doesn't mean I broke the rules all the time. There are some kids that don't choose to put other's lives in jeopardy. You are obviously young yourself if you are not agreeing with placing any blame on the driver. I think what the person who asked where the parents are is mostly asking where the parenting is that they disobey the rules for driving. Driving is a priviledge that teenagers earn, it's not a right they are entitled to. I do hope for a recovery for the driver, but as I said before, let this be a lesson to others students & drivers... Think before you allow 6 other kids in your car when you are not allowed to have even half that amount before you are an 18 year old driver!!

Right on Marrisa

emb1878:there were 7 kids in the car because...THEY ARE KIDS. Again, I ask "where you never a teenager?". Teens do silly things. They don't think things through. Can we all stop asking the questions that we know the answer to already or that are irrelevant? It doesn't matter where the parents were or why there were so many kids in the car. And yes, this is why we have laws in place for these reasons. Lets stop attacking the 7 teens who made a bad choice, and pray for all involved.

So why were there 7 kids in one vehicle?? There were other kids that were of age to drive. I'm a long-ago graduate of BFHS & I know what happens during Homecoming week (the same thing that happens at all High Schools during Homecoming week!!). But that doesn't mean that there should be 7 kids piled into one car!! I pray for the kids to recover, especially the critical ones, but let this be a lesson to all the students at the school. That is the reason that there are current driving restrictions for kids under the age of 18. Maybe they will think next time...

Alexis - Couldn't of been better said for your mom to be home helping your brother with homework. I hate when I hear people blaming parents right away. (these boards are great for doing that) I know my son was at home - sick to his stomache cause he knew these kids were classmates and we were waiting word on "who" were all involved. First thing I did when he got up was have him check facebook to check on your brother. Think any of us slept last night? Not a chance, prayers were said and will continue on for everyone.

I am a parent and I was a teenager, I remember having fun and not thinking anything could happen to me. It is sad yes but you cannot blame the parents. Come on, kids are kids having fun and not thinking. Unfortunately an accident occurred. I will pray for all the families. As even the ones that are ok still had to witness all this.

I am John VanVleets sister and I would like to say thank you to everyone praying! Prayers are the only thing people can do to help in these situations. Moving on.. "Where are the parents?" Well, Johns mother was at home helping our brother with his homework at the time. And now she has been sitting at Children Hospital for the last 14 hours talking to doctors and surgeons! Maybe some of you were perfect parents, but not everyone can be. And for those of you that are worried, I know my brother and the other girl in Mil. are going to be fine. I don't have any info. on the other kids yet. Oh, And from what I understand, they were being chased. And where are those kids parent. Probably at home knowing there kids are sitting at school safe and sound!

Prevention,

The names of people injured in auto accidents generally are public information, especially if the injured are transported by emergency vehicles. No age or privacy restrictions apply.

Scott W. Angus
Editor

Is it true that the kids were being "chased" in the car by someone from the house they had been TP'ing?
My thoughts and prayers are with all the families. Big Foot is a great school and the kids were just doing what has been being done for over 25 years around Homecoming time. This is a tragic accident for everyone at BFHS.

My prayers to these kids, friends, and families.

One question tho... aren't these kids still protected as minors to NOT release their names?

I should add - it is Homecoming Week at Big Foot, and certainly has put a damper on all the activities and events going on. Kids were out T.P.ing from what I heard, chasing and being kids. Sad. Prayers are needed for the Vanvleet boy, and the others as well.

I didn't know there were "restrictions" on 17 year old drivers? I've heard of it for 15 and 16 year olds, but this guy is considered old enough to know better isn't he? A Crown Victoria is a pretty moderate size car which (although I don't think they should've had 7 people in it) these kids were probably not "totally" crammed. I think the ample size of this car alone is probably what saved thier lives. Had they been in a compact car or anything smaller than this one it may not have turned out so well. God bless every one of them. That was a pretty costly lesson.

littleboox3..."where are the parents of the driver?" Are you kidding me? Have you never been a teenager or met one? They will from time to time disobey their parents and do something dumb and/or dangerous. This is NOT a parents fault. This is a dumb choice made by 7 teens. It happens. It will happen again too.

Shocking and scary. I hope the students have a full recovery.

Thoughts and prayers are with the kids and their famlies. With that said...Where are the parents of the driver? There are restrictions on drivers this young and there was no reason for that many people in that car at that time. Its never gonna happen to me does happen!! On the other side of the fence it is most likely what saved most of these kids from injuries was the fact that the were jammed into this car. I hope everyone comes out of this ok!