PRESCOTT – It was a tragic weekend for the Prescott community who is left to mourn the deaths of two Prescott teens in a rollover car crash late Friday night.

Ayden P. Nelson, 17, and Cadence Allen, 17, died after the crash and were not wearing seat belts. A third 17-year-old Prescott High School student, Bryndan Hartman, was transported to Regions Hospital in St. Paul with non-life-threatening injuries. He was wearing a seat belt.

According to a news release from the Minnesota State Patrol, emergency crews responded at 11 p.m. Feb. 10 to a single-vehicle rollover crash on Highway 61 just north of Lower Afton Road in St. Paul. A 2008 Nissan Maxima, driven by a fourth unnamed 16-year-old PHS student, was heading northbound at a high rate of speed before the driver veered off the roadway on the right and rolled.

The vehicle went airborne and struck multiple trees about 40-50 feet off the roadway. Dispatch audio indicated that firefighters had to extricate at least one victim from the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was brought to Regions Hospital, but the extent of his injuries is unknown. He was wearing a seat belt.

Highway 61 was closed for an extended period of time while State Troopers reconstructed the crash. Road conditions were listed as dry.

According to family friend Lynn Peterson, who started a Gofundme account for the Allen family, Allen was a great friend to her son.

“He was funny and always making these great funny faces,” Peterson wrote. “Cadence liked to be with his family and friends. Summers out on the boat and great family vacations.”

Allen, who was a junior, is the son of Joseph Lee Allen and Melissa Farrow. According to his obituary, he worked as a cook at Mc-Donald’s in Hastings, Minn. and was saving up for a Honda Accord.

“If one word summed up Cadence, it would be family,” his obituary states. “He so enjoyed the laughter and memories when the family was together. One of his favorites was the Marengo Cabin. Crawfish hunting with his cousins, bonfires and stories, and of course lighting up the sky with fireworks always brought the biggest smile to his face.”

Allen enjoyed playing basketball, Pokemon and Minecraft and listening to music, especially the Deftones and RKS.

Nelson is the son of Jen Kabat and Nicholas Nelson. According to his obituary, he loved his siblings, pets, playing with fire and the Army. He attended Ellsworth Community School District where he played football and in the band; he later transferred to Prescott.

“No matter the situation or event, Ayden had a high toleration for pain and adrenaline, often times leading him to push himself to the edge,” the obituary reads.

He loved going to the family cabin in Comstock, four-wheeling, snowmobiling, playing video games and spending time with his friends.

The State Patrol report noted alcohol was found in the system of at least one passenger, but has not been deemed a cause of the crash. The investigation is ongoing.

Nelson’s grandfather, Chuck Nelson, told a local TV station that Ayden struggled with alcohol and he was working on getting him help. He asked that people make good choices, including not drinking or driving.

Nelson’s mother, Jennifer Kabat, also told the TV station that Ayden had his struggles, but didn’t know how much people loved him.

A celebration of Nelson’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18 at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel in Hastings. People are asked to dress casually, in memory of Nelson. A visitation will be held 4-7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17 in the same location. People can donate to Nelson’s family to help cover end of life expenses at https://gofund,me/52331ccc A celebration of Allen’s life will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16 at Ptacek’s Old Event Center (1449 Orrin Road, Prescott). A visitation will follow from 4-7 p.m. A Gofundme has been set up for Allen’s end of life expenses at http://gofund. me/4ae59ae A fund has also been set up to help cover Hartman’s medical expenses at https:// gofund.me/48fd9333 School response

“This truly is a tragic day for our community, staff, students and obviously, the families involved,” Prescott Superintendent Dr. Rick Spicuzza said Saturday.

School and community counselors, psychologists and other support staff were available at 1 p.m. Saturday to meet with students and staff. Additional support was planned for Monday and throughout the week.

“Open communication between parents and children is very important,” Spicuzza wrote in a letter to parents. “Listen, give reassurance, and try to understand your child’s feelings. If you think your child is having a particularly difficult time dealing with this situation, please contact the school and we will provide additional assistance as needed.”

17-year-old Cadence Allen was saving up money to buy a Honda Accord and loved to spend time with his family at the cabin. Photo courtesy of Lynn Peterson