LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- There have been five deaths in Nelson County since last Wednesday, and two of them were teenagers.
In an area that's no stranger to tragedy, Nelson County is yet again grieving. A vigil is going to be held Thursday to honor those five victims.
"Just tragedy after tragedy and it's like the black cloud but we respond as a community," Nelson County Sheriff Ramon Pineiroa said.
It's been several different incidents this week as first responders most recently responded to a deadly crash Thursday morning.
A 13-year-old boy was found unresponsive over the weekend. An obituary posted online said Hayden Reynolds passed away in his sleep on Sunday.
Then, on Monday, 16-year-old girl, identified as Lily Smith, crashed her car in Bardstown and later died at UofL Hospital. A family friend said the young girl was an organ donor and was able to save lives in her death.
Everyone knows everyone in Nelson County, the sheriff said Thursday, and that he was neighbors with the girl and her family.
There's been five deaths in Nelson County since last Wednesday and two of them were teenagers.
It's been a tough week for many in Nelson County, including first responders. No call is ever easy for them but it's especially difficult when children are involved.
"Anybody that has kids will immediately fall into those shoes as a parent, not as a police officer or first responder or anything but you immediately go to that parenting and it's tough," Pineiroa said.
The sheriff said it always amazes him when people in the Nelson County community come together and that's exactly what happened Thursday night.
Mourners gathered outside the Nelson County Justice Center to light candles and pray, and to let the teens' families know they have a whole community supporting them.
"It just shows how strong Nelson County is and it shows when something tragic happens, that we come together as one and put our differences aside and we support each other," said Chief Deputy Brandon Bryan, with the Nelson County Sheriff's Office.
Funeral services for both teens are planned for Friday and Saturday.
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