A group of Orion High School graduates have painted a special tribute to two of their classmates, killed over the weekend by an alleged drunk driver.
Wednesday, members of the Class of 2011 gathered at the graffiti barn off Osco Road and 1300th Avenue in Henry County, painting the old corn crib black with a red and white message: "In loving memory of Danny and Andy. Rest Easy."
At Orion, it is homecoming tradition for seniors to paint the barn with their names and graduating class.
"They had a lot of fun out here, Andy and Danny. Andy and Danny always had fun, so I know it would mean a lot to them that we're doing this," said Payton Keller.
Early Sunday morning, the car driven by Andy Adams, 21, was broadsided by another vehicle. The crash killed Adams and 22-year-old Danny DeBacker. A second passenger, Kaleb Hougland, remains hospitalized with serious injuries.
"I didn't believe it. It doesn't happen to Andy and Danny. They were just the nicest people you'd ever meet," said friend Caleb Nesbitt.
Friends say Adams and DeBacker were best buddies who loved basketball and video games, and were never spotted anywhere apart.
Their classmates say on the night of the accident, Adams was serving as the designated driver for his friends.
"It sucks that they did it by the book, the way it's supposed to happen, and it still just didn't work out. It sucks a lot," said Nesbitt.
"We have our five year class reunion coming up, and they're not going to be here. When they get inducted into the basketball hall of fame, they're not going to be here," said friend Ali Seys.
Now, they hope the barn will serve as a tribute to Andy and Danny -- and a reminder to all passing drivers.
"It's the person that you hit, and their families and their communities that you're going to affect," said Sydney Sottos.
A fundraising page has been set up to collect donations for Kaleb Hougland's hospital bills and medical equipment. You can find that link here.