Jonathan Edwards (left), 23, Sugar Creek, has been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in a crash Friday in Independence that killed a young couple.
Pair planned to marry in two years
The victims of a fatal wreck Friday night in Independence were a young Independence couple who had recently become engaged.
On Saturday, police identified Crystal A. Blessing, 18, and Brandon C. Hankins, 20, as the victims of a crash at U.S. 24 and Noland Road.
The crash happened about 7:50 p.m. Friday as Hankins and Blessing were southbound on Noland Road and turning east onto U.S. 24. A westbound car ran a red light and broadsided them, police said.
Hankins had proposed to Blessing on the night of her senior prom, her family said. She graduated this spring with honors from William Chrisman High School. The couple had planned to marry in two years.
The two had known each other for 13 years and were classmates at Chrisman.
