Two Kilgore Students Killed, Three People Injured in Crash

KILGORE � Two Kilgore ISD students were killed, and three people were injured Sunday night in a car crash. KETK reports it happened on Highway 259 around 10:00 p.m. According to officials, an SUV carrying five people crashed about 3 miles north of Henderson. The driver, Hava Shala, 33, of Kilgore, was driving northbound when the vehicle swerved to avoid an object in the road. The vehicle side skidded into a grass median and rolled several times, throwing two passengers and partially ejecting a third. Hava Shala, 37-year-old front seat passenger Bennie Shala, and 19-year-old backseat passenger Murteza Bojkaj, all of Kilgore, were hospitalized following the wreck. Their current conditions are unknown.

DPS authorities identified the two students killed as 8th grader Liradone Bojkaj, 14, and Junior Mergimtare Bojkaj, 17, both of Kilgore. Murteza Bojkaj is believed to be a 2011 KISD graduate, according to Superintendent Dennis Williams. Liradone was pronounced dead at the scene. Mergimtare was taken to a Tyler hospital, where she later died. Grief counselors are at both school locations and other counselors are available to talk to students if needed.

�We�re deeply saddened when we received the word this morning that we lost two students in an auto accident last night. Our hearts and thoughts are with the family during this grave loss,� said Williams Monday. The crash remains under investigation.