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Twenty years ago wreck that claimed five Lumberton HS students affected families, entire town

Twenty years ago this week a wreck just outside Lumberton took five young lives and drastically affected not only five families but an entire town.

LUMBERTON — Twenty years ago this week a wreck just outside Lumberton took five young lives and drastically affected not only five families but an entire town.

May 2, 2018, marked was the 20th anniversary of the deaths of the five boys, two seniors Lumberton High School boys who were killed in a collision with an 18-wheeler just north of the city.

"My son Trey would be 38-years-old," says Mitch Landry, father of the victim who was in the passenger seat.

"Where would he be," he asks.

"How many children would he have," Landry explains with tears in his eyes.

It's been 20-years since this fatal wreck, and this father is still grieving.

"The community lost their talent, where would they be today," Landry explains.

His only son Trey, along with four friends, Clint Bertrand, Matthew Richard, Michael Richiey, and Daniel Salim were all killed in the 1998 wreck.

"Not just the talent of each one of the boys, but five families can't continue without them," Landry says.

Twenty years later, the five crosses are still seen on the side of Highway 69, just a few miles outside the city of Lumberton.

"I think the tragedy is that the five boys had no criminal record, were good kids, and the only boy's in the family," Landry explains.

He says it's five generations wiped out the night of the wreck.

The only thing left to remember for this family is newspaper clippings with coverage of the numbness settling over the city of Lumberton.

"They had hopes and dreams, and that's what died with them too," says Patty Roberts, who has taught at Lumberton High School for over 30 years.

The group planted an oak tree over a decade ago on their behalf, to remind others of the impact these students have made.

"Twenty years ago, the students weren't born when this took place," Roberts says.

It's a tragedy that shook the entire community, and their memory of the Lumberton five is something this father says the community will treasure forever.

"Treat each other better while we're around because tomorrow may not be, for them, or for us," Landry says.

Clint, Trey, Matthew, Michael and Daniel are five young men cut short of following their dreams.

Their short life is now leaving a long legacy among the Lumberton High School community with a scholarship.

This group of guys are now a reminder to always cherish every moment with our families because tomorrow is not guaranteed.

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