Bedford Co., VA - It was a day full of emotion in Bedford County, after Wednesday’s deadly car wreck involving three teenagers. 18-year-old Chase Jones of Thaxton died in the crash on Bell Town Road. The driver, his stepbrother, 19-year-old Dewey Perkins is still in the hospital. 18-year-old Kristopher Meador is back at home.

All three teens are seniors at Liberty High School, a school that is still reeling from the news and coming to grips with another loss.
Investigators search for answers to a wreck that shifted nature and shattered lives. Just four miles up the road, their findings aren't likely offer much comfort.

Mark Day, who taught Chase Jones, said "Slowly, but surely, it begins to set in that the worst thing has, in fact, happened. And, you're going to have to deal with that."

Chase Jones was the fun kid. The one you'd hear friends call out to from 20 yards down the hall. Today, his name is heard more in whispers, but it hasn't gone away.

Another one of Chase’s teachers, Dan Isaacs, said, "Even in the hallways, they were talking about their last moment when they had talked to Chase."

He's the guy who helped bring back the school paper, the kid who loved music, and one who talked to just about everyone.
"He did make a difference in a lot of different lives at school," Isaacs said.

This story is getting too familiar in Bedford County. Two years ago, an 18-year-old from Liberty High flipped his pick-up days before graduation. Two years before that, four more teens crashed and died, this time, from Staunton River.

Their principal is now at Liberty. Liberty H.S. Principal , Dr. Cherie Whitehurst, said, "What do you say to the students? What do you say to the parents? You wanted so much to try to help them feel better and you couldn't. It was a very hopeless feeling, and I find myself with those same emotions today."

Experience, in these situations doesn't make it easier. "Our goal was just to get through today -- take it one day at a time," Whitehurst said.

One day at a time, hoping it'll stop here, but knowing it probably won't.  "That group of students passes on, goes on, moves on, and you're back to square one. It's almost like you have to go through it, and teach it, and you have to relearn it all the time," Day said.

A crisis team was available for students at Liberty Thursday. The school also sent home a letter with advice for parents. State Police are still investigating the wreck, to determine whether or not Jones' stepbrother, Dewey Perkins will face charges.

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