Kiana Rechberg, an athletic and creative Southern Oregon University freshman, died in a car crash on November 23rd. Rechberg, a 19-year-old Cascade Christian High School graduate, was traveling southbound on Highway 199 just below the Oregon and California border on her way to visit family for the holidays when she lost control of her vehicle and crashed.
According to the accident report, Rechberg lost control of her Mini Cooper and struck the car of Vincent Becker, a 22-year-old Cave Junction resident. The driver’s side of Rechberg’s car slammed into the front of Becker’s Saturn, fatally injuring Rechberg. Becker and his two passengers, Anthony Becker and Augustine Duarte, both 18 years old, sustained a variety of injuries, none fatal.
Investigators are not sure why Rechberg lost control, but the weather conditions were cold and wet.
“Something of this serious nature, we take our time,” said California Highway Patrol Sgt. Del Gray. “We don’t want to send out the wrong message.”
Students and teachers remember Rechberg as a volleyball, tennis and basketball enthusiast, and a devout Christian. Rechberg had aspirations of becoming a kindergarten teacher and actively pursued that career path, volunteering at as an aide at Grace Christian School.
A “Celebration of Life” memorial service was held at noon on Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Applegate Christian Fellowship for Rechberg by her family and friends.
