It was 10 pm on Sunday, October 16, 2016 when Randy Peterson received a page, requesting his support in his town’s volunteer fire department.
Before responding, Peterson called to check on each of his three children. Peterson couldn’t get ahold of his 16-year-old son Carter, who Peterson knew was on his way home from visiting his girlfriend in a town 40 miles away.
Peterson couldn’t shake the sinking feeling in his stomach and kept calling Carter’s phone. There was no response.
When Peterson arrived at the scene of the crash, he knew why he hadn’t been able to reach his son. “Seeing the car on fire and the rims, I knew [it was my son],” Peterson remembered. “I dropped to my knees. I was a mess. Another member of the crew just held me.”
Carter had been driving across an intersection when another driver ran a stop sign and rammed into the driver’s side of Carter’s car. The car slid into a ditch, rolled over, and caught on fire.
Carter died at the scene of the crash.
He was only ten miles away from home.
The entire community has rallied around the Peterson family, offering their love and support in any way they can.
Carter had been a dedicated, well-loved member of his high school’s football team. At the school’s first game after Carter’s death, they performed a drum chant in honor of their fallen player.
Every player on the opposing team gave Carter’s family hugs and presented them with wild rice, a symbol of hope. Carter’s teammates presented the Peterson family with flowers, photographs of Carter, and his Number 63 jersey.
The school, Ada-Borup High School, has chosen to retire the number from their roster.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the Peterson family and their entire small town community during this time.
