Published: October 27, 2009 10:34 am      

Candlelight vigil held for teen killed in car crash

Roy Dean Rogers III overcame many obstacles during his short life.

Sure, his cerebral palsy might have caused his muscles to stiffen up a bit, but parental support, experimental surgery and his own determination helped him lead a normal life.

That life was cut short last week at the hands of a suspected drunk driver. Monday, more than 100 people braved chilly, breezy conditions outside New Hope Church in Effingham to remember the 18-year-old Rogers.

More than 1,000 people attended the young man’s visitation inside the church. Rogers’ funeral was scheduled for this afternoon, also at the church.

Several people offered brief anecdotes about young Rogers, a 2009 graduate of Altamont High School, a student at Lake Land College and an employee of Martin’s IGA Plus.

“We’re all here tonight to support the family and remember somebody whose candle burned out too soon,” said uncle Chris Rogers.

One woman recalled the time young Rogers was cooking a hot dog outside her home.

“He adopted me and I adopted him,” the woman said. “He got the hot dog off a fork, but he wasn’t sure if it was done, so he held onto it.

“Finally he said, ‘Mom, this is hot.’”

One man said the sight of mourners trying to keep candles lit in the chilly breeze would have tickled young Rogers.

“If Roy saw us holding these candles and shivering, he’d be laughing,” the man said.

Effingham High School senior Cassie Rogers, young Roy’s cousin, helped organize the vigil.

“I just knew that the way he was killed and the way he lived, I thought this was a good way to pay tribute,” Miss Rogers said. “He was funny, generous and courageous.

“He always worked hard for anything he did, and he was a gentleman.”

Miss Rogers said her cousin was a clean-living sort who never took a drink in his life.

Chris Rogers said he hopes young Roy’s death shines a spotlight on the impaired driving epidemic in the area.

“The family is determined this issue will not go away,” he said.

John Winterrowd of Mason, the man accused of driving the truck that struck young Rogers’ vehicle, remained in Effingham County Jail Monday evening in lieu of $200,000 bail on charges relating to the fatal crash.

Winterrowd, 57, appeared in Judge Sherri Tungate’s court Monday on his first appearance related to the case. Tungate set bail on the conditions that Winterrowd not consume alcohol or illegal drugs nor operate a motor vehicle.

Winterrowd asked for time to hire a private attorney. His next court appearance is 10 a.m. Nov. 3.

Bill Grimes can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 132 or bill.grimes@effinghamdailynews.com.