The death of Sister Sadie Danielle Wells from Kaysville, Utah, hit close to home for BYU–Hawaii students. Sister Wells had been serving in Pennsylvania since May of 2015 when she tragically died on impact in a car accident on Tuesday, Feb. 9.
Courtney Eames, a freshman studying elementary education from Wells’ hometown of Kaysville was on the cheer team with Wells at Davis High School sophomore and junior year. “I've known her since we were little. She was actually the back spot in my stunt group, so we were really close,” said Eames.
Eames said, “It's definitely weird being here because it doesn't feel real.” Eames explained because she was on a mission they had become used to her being gone, “so it doesn't feel like she's actually gone.”
The accident was allegedly caused by a school bus driver who failed to stop at a stop sign with 32 students onboard, according to the Deseret News.
Katie Niedererr a sophomore studying biology from Pennsylvania said her home ward is a part of the stake that Sister Wells was serving in at the time of the accident. “Everyone back home is really upset about it.”
Niedererr described how her father has been especially troubled about the accident, noting he said he “couldn't sleep last night” because of it. Niedererr’s father works as a bus driver and said it was snowing before the accident, and the road conditions were not ideal. “He's just disappointed in the bus driver,” Niedererr said.
It is not yet confirmed whether the bus driver neglected to stop, or was unable to.
According to The Patriot News, only two of the students onboard the bus suffered minor injuries.
A statement was released by the family of Sister Wells on the morning of Feb. 10. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our daughter and sister, Sadie Danielle Wells. We will miss her smile and vibrant, fun-loving personality. Our concern is for her mission companion and the other sister missionaries involved in the accident, and we pray for them and their families.”
Two of the other sister missionaries in the car were reported to have only suffered minor injuries. Kristen Howey, a spokeswoman for the LDS Church released in a statement Sunday, “Another sister, whose injuries were more significant than initially understood and reported, is still in the hospital receiving excellent care.”
The legacy Sister Wells leaves, according to Eames, is one of self-expression. “One of the biggest things I learned from her was to not be afraid to be myself. Sadie did not care what anyone thought of her, and she wasn't afraid to be who she was.”
Eames said she has fond memories of Wells walking down the halls of school in a “tourist fat suit” and “whale suit” costumes. “She would do the funniest things.” Eames shared of her family and friends, “Everyone is being so strong and having fun bringing up memories of Sadie, because there are so many funny stories with her and there is so much good to talk about.”