The Concord-Carlisle High School community is reeling from an unimaginable tragedy that claimed the lives of three seniors and left another fighting for survival after a devastating car crash in Florida. Jimmy McIntosh, Hannah Wasserman, and Maisey O’Donnell, all 18, were vibrant young adults on the cusp of graduation, their futures brimming with promise. Their lives were cut short Monday night during a spring break trip, leaving families, friends, and an entire school grappling with profound grief. A fourth student, Lauren Costa, remains in critical condition, her recovery uncertain as the community holds onto hope.
The accident occurred just before 9:30 p.m. on U.S. Highway 98 near Inlet Beach in Walton County, a popular destination along Florida’s Panhandle. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the four students were traveling westbound in an SUV when their vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer attempting a U-turn in the highway’s paved median. The impact was catastrophic. The SUV veered across the median, crossed both eastbound lanes, and came to rest in a wooded area off the south side of the highway. McIntosh, the driver, and Wasserman, a front-seat passenger, were pronounced dead at the scene. O’Donnell, one of two rear passengers, was rushed to Bay Medical Center in Panama City but succumbed to her injuries the following afternoon. Costa, the fourth student, remains hospitalized, her condition a focal point of prayers and support from her Massachusetts hometown.
Superintendent Dr. Laurie Hunter, in a series of heartfelt statements, shared the devastating news with the Concord-Carlisle community. She described the students as cherished members of the Class of 2025, noting their loss would be “deeply felt” across Concord and Carlisle, towns roughly 25 miles northwest of Boston. Hunter highlighted O’Donnell’s family’s decision to donate her organs, a selfless act they hope will bring meaning to an otherwise senseless tragedy. Grief counselors were made available at the high school on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon and will return when classes resume on April 28, following the spring break. The school’s flag was lowered to half-staff, a somber symbol of collective mourning.
Details of the crash paint a harrowing picture. The tractor-trailer, driven by a 19-year-old from DeFuniak Springs, Florida, with a 23-year-old passenger from Panama City Beach, was not cited immediately, though the investigation remains active. Authorities have not released information on whether speed, distraction, or other factors contributed to the collision. Reports indicate McIntosh was wearing a seatbelt, but it’s unclear if the others were, a detail that underscores the fragility of life in such high-impact crashes.
The students were described as exemplary by those who knew them. Wasserman, from Concord, was remembered as warm-hearted and empathetic, with a gift for making others feel valued. A GoFundMe created to support her family’s funeral costs called her “one of a kind,” a sentiment echoed by classmates on social media. McIntosh, from Carlisle, was a leader among his peers, his infectious energy leaving a mark on the school. O’Donnell, also from Concord, was a standout diver, coached by Josh Klein of Boston Area Diving, who praised her humility and kindness. “The little kids looked up to her,” Klein said, noting the void her absence will leave.
As the investigation continues, the Concord-Carlisle community is uniting in sorrow and solidarity. Vigils are being planned, and messages of condolence have poured in from across Massachusetts. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers on the road, particularly for young drivers far from home. For now, the focus remains on honoring the memories of McIntosh, Wasserman, and O’Donnell while supporting Costa’s recovery and the families navigating this unbearable loss.