Alcester, Hudson, Beresford communities mourn, pull together to help the family
Riva Sharples | Editor
The communities of Alcester, Hudson, and Beresford are pulling together to support each other and a local family after the tragic passing of 14-year-old Camdyn Meester.
Meester, of Hudson, the son of Lee and Carrisa Hope, passed away Saturday, Nov. 29, from injuries sustained in a single-vehicle car accident. Meester was an 8th grader at Beresford Middle School and was widely known and beloved by many in the Alcester, Hudson, and Beresford communities.
“Cam was very involved with sports: baseball, football, and basketball,” said Beresford Middle School Principal Thomas Merriman. “This is a devastating and tragic experience, and our hearts go out the Cam’s family.”
According to a press release from the South Dakota Highway Patrol, the accident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29, one mile southeast of Hudson. Preliminary information indicates that an 18-year-old driver from Rock Valley, Iowa, was driving a 2011 Ford F-250 northbound on 488th Avenue near 294th Street while pulling a male on a snowboard. The snowboarder fell and the truck stopped and began to back up. Meester, who was riding in the bed of the truck, fell from the bed of the truck and was struck by the vehicle.
The group, which included a 19-year-old female passenger and the snowboarder, drove Meester to the Hawarden Regional Hospital in Iowa where he died from his injuries. Pending completion of the accident investigation, charges may be filed against the driver of the pick-up truck, reports indicate.
Locally, the Alcester, Hudson, and Beresford communities are coming together to support the Hope/Meester families in any way they can. Financial donations are currently being collected to help with funeral expenses. Donations may be sent via venmo to Carrisa Hope at: Carissa-Hope-2.
Meanwhile, in the Alcester-Hudson and Beresford School Districts Monday, counselors and members of local ministerial associations were present and available at the schools to talk with students. In Beresford in particular, students and classmates spent the day remembering Meester and sharing memories.
“We provided the 8th grade class with opportunities to share stories, connect, and brainstorm ways to support each other and the Meester/Hope family,” said Merriman. “As we continue forward, we are helping students through the grieving process while maintaining routines and grounded support.”
Meester is remembered as a wonderful young person who was a great older brother to his siblings Braylon and Brecklyn and who was also a fun and enthusiastic teammate.
“Cam will be missed by his classmates for his fun personality, smile, sense of humor, and presence,” said Merriman. “His teammates will particularly miss him being an active part of their teams.”