2008 Woodie Awards
SSU student dies in accident
Lauren Willard, Staff Writer
Issue date: 12/7/05 Section: News
Teenagers and young adults may be taking more precautions today about their drinking, but some still choose to get behind the wheel after a night of partying. For one SSU student, this ended his life.
Late on the night of Friday Nov. 11, Scott Van Hootegem and his friend Alex Hunt died in a car accident. Van Hootegem was an undeclared freshman at SSU. According to the Marin Independent Journal, both men along with a couple friends were driving home from a birthday party in Ignacio.
The party, hosted by Debbie Bauer was only a small get-together. Bauer had written letters to her neighbors informing them of the party and apologized in advance for any noise or parking difficulties. She also ensured that her friends either had safe rides or would spend the night at her home.
However, Van Hootegem decided at the last minute to drive home. Some time later, his Ford Pickup truck was found wrapped around a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Hunt died later that night at Marin General Hospital.
The California Highway Patrol is still investigating the scene and it could take months to determine what happened that night. Novato firefighters found several open bottles of beer and liquor strewn about the crash, and a strong odor of alcohol clung to the victims.
The street Van Hootegem was driving on was Indian Valley Road in Ignacio, which is a curvy road that was not designed for high speeds. Police estimate the truck was going about 70 mph when it hit the tree. Results of blood-alcohol tests from Van Hootegem will not be completed for several weeks.
"Even though people think we're teenagers and we're stupid, we [do] think. We're more mature and intelligent about these things, and nobody asks us." said Semorile, a San Marin High School student speaking to the Marin Independent Journal about the precautions taken before and during the party. However, the result was still fatal for Van Hootegem and Hunt.
Van Hootegem enjoyed mountain biking and working on his truck. He loved to go off-roading, as well as hanging out with all of his friends. He was well-loved by friends and classmates at SSU, as the many posthumous postings on his "Facebook" profile showed.
Scottie, I'm sitting here, starring at my cell phone, because I want to talk to you so desperately. I can't even describe how much I miss you, how everyone that you knew misses you. It's still so hard for me to comprehend all of this. Why did you leave us? Only God and the Angels know. I can remember our very last conversation, and even the last time we got together," read a posting by Whitney Stenberg, an SSU sophomore.
Many of his friends have posted goodbyes and shared memories as a way to grieve for their loss and his passing.
Late on the night of Friday Nov. 11, Scott Van Hootegem and his friend Alex Hunt died in a car accident. Van Hootegem was an undeclared freshman at SSU. According to the Marin Independent Journal, both men along with a couple friends were driving home from a birthday party in Ignacio.
The party, hosted by Debbie Bauer was only a small get-together. Bauer had written letters to her neighbors informing them of the party and apologized in advance for any noise or parking difficulties. She also ensured that her friends either had safe rides or would spend the night at her home.
However, Van Hootegem decided at the last minute to drive home. Some time later, his Ford Pickup truck was found wrapped around a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Hunt died later that night at Marin General Hospital.
The California Highway Patrol is still investigating the scene and it could take months to determine what happened that night. Novato firefighters found several open bottles of beer and liquor strewn about the crash, and a strong odor of alcohol clung to the victims.
The street Van Hootegem was driving on was Indian Valley Road in Ignacio, which is a curvy road that was not designed for high speeds. Police estimate the truck was going about 70 mph when it hit the tree. Results of blood-alcohol tests from Van Hootegem will not be completed for several weeks.
"Even though people think we're teenagers and we're stupid, we [do] think. We're more mature and intelligent about these things, and nobody asks us." said Semorile, a San Marin High School student speaking to the Marin Independent Journal about the precautions taken before and during the party. However, the result was still fatal for Van Hootegem and Hunt.
Van Hootegem enjoyed mountain biking and working on his truck. He loved to go off-roading, as well as hanging out with all of his friends. He was well-loved by friends and classmates at SSU, as the many posthumous postings on his "Facebook" profile showed.
Scottie, I'm sitting here, starring at my cell phone, because I want to talk to you so desperately. I can't even describe how much I miss you, how everyone that you knew misses you. It's still so hard for me to comprehend all of this. Why did you leave us? Only God and the Angels know. I can remember our very last conversation, and even the last time we got together," read a posting by Whitney Stenberg, an SSU sophomore.
Many of his friends have posted goodbyes and shared memories as a way to grieve for their loss and his passing.