Community rocked by tragedy

The Hugoton Community was saddened with the news of the recent tragic vehicle accident which took the lives of two local residents. Micaela Bojorquez, mother of six, lost her life Tuesday evening when the SUV she was riding in was struck by a semi driven by James Ford who also lost his life.

Stevens County Sheriff’s Department and EMS received a 911 call  at 7:49 p.m. Tuesday,
September 8. The call was for a two vehicle accident two miles north of the Kansas/Oklahoma state line on Highway 25 and County Road D intersection in Stevens County. Sheriff Heaton, along with all his deputies and emergency personnel and equipment, arrived on the scene. Sheriff Heaton called in KHP to assist.

Enddy M. Bojorquez, 20 of Hugoton, was driving northbound on K25 in a 2004 Ford Expedition and Mr. Ford was westbound on Road D in a 1999
Peterbilt semi – trailer. Enddy was driving her mother and little four year old brother Jaysten Bojorquez home following the volleyball games in Guymon, Ok. After the semi failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection, Ford struck the right front side of the Bojorquez Expedition, according to KHP. Mrs. Bojorquez, in the passenger seat of the Expedition, and Mr. Ford, in the semi, both lost their lives at the scene.

Thankfully the bus containing more of the Bojorquez children was contacted and rerouted on another road home, avoiding the crash scene. Enddy and her little brother were transported to Stevens County Hospital and then Life Watched on to another facility. Both are reported as doing fair.

People and businesses from all around have been offering and giving support for the family. The family can certainly use the help as they adjust to having only one parent now. There are different ways to help: a fund raiser meal is planned for Friday, September 25 at St. Helen Parish Hall. This will be a free will donation meal. If needed, meals can be fixed and delivered also.

Another way is to send donations with “Bojorquez Family” in the memo on the check to: Pheasant Heaven Charities, PO Box 308, Hugoton, Ks 67951. Receipts may be provided. Also, Hugoton Recreation, at 211 S. Madison, has offered to serve as a drop zone for paper goods for the family.

Obituaries for both Mrs. Bojorquez and Mr. Ford can be found on page 2 of this week’s Hermes.

Remember to keep both of these hurting families in your prayers.