SIOUX CITY, Iowa / NEW MEXICO — It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the East High community and extended families mourn the devastating losses of Kellen Grimsley and Kaleb Pendergast, two young lives taken in a tragic car accident in New Mexico. The heartbreaking incident comes at a time when the Grimsley family was already grieving, compounding a season of deep sorrow and reflection.

Just over a week ago, the Grimsley family laid to rest their beloved matriarch, Janet Grimsley, a woman remembered as the heart of her family and a pillar of strength to those around her. As loved ones were still navigating that loss, the family was struck again when Tom and Gina Grimsley’s nephew, Kellen Grimsley, lost his life in the New Mexico crash.

In that same accident, Kaleb Pendergast also passed away, leaving his own family and community in mourning. Kaleb was a recent graduate of SBL, Class of 2024, where he attended school alongside classmates who included members of the extended Grimsley family. His passing has deeply affected former classmates, educators, and friends who remember him as a young man full of promise.

Kaleb’s family is well known in the community. His mother was a Tobias, a name familiar to many, further deepening the sense of shared grief felt across generations. For those who watched these young people grow up, the loss has reopened memories of classmates lost over the years and the lasting impact such tragedies leave behind.

Community members have expressed that this moment has been a sobering reminder of life’s fragility and the profound pain that comes with losing a child—an experience no family should ever have to endure. Messages of condolence, prayer, and support have poured in for both families as they attempt to navigate an unimaginable road ahead.

As the East High community reflects and grieves, many have called for unity, compassion, and prayer. Loved ones have asked for privacy and grace as the Grimsley and Pendergast families lean on faith, family, and one another for strength.

In a shared prayer offered by community members:

“Dear Lord, please be with the Grimsley and Pendergast families as they walk through this unknown. Give them strength, peace, and grace for each new day. Help guide their decisions and draw them closer together. Surround them with loving friends and family who can lift them up when they’re feeling weak, so they can reach for You. Amen.”

While the pain of these losses is immeasurable, the memories of Kellen Grimsley and Kaleb Pendergast will endure in the hearts of those who loved them. Their lives, though tragically cut short, will continue to be honored through remembrance, prayer, and the shared support of a grieving community.

Further details regarding memorial services will be shared when available.