Russell Cook stood quietly among the crowd at last week’s candlelight vigil for the four teenagers, three of those former El Reno High School students, killed in a head-on collision.

His face was filled with the same grief and pain felt by the 750 friends, family members, school leaders and others in attendance. The gut-wrenching hurt caused by four lives taken away too soon.

“I’ve lost a player in the past, but not this close to after graduation. They will always be with me. They’ll always be with our coach’s staff,” said Cook, head coach of El Reno High School’s football program.

El Reno’s Quincy Jones, Brad Palmer and Haliegh Salazar and their friend, Kiercy Hickson of Stillwater were killed along Interstate 40 in Yukon May 22 when their vehicle was struck head-on by a vehicle driven by Michael Salomon Rosario-Cruz.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports said Rosario-Cruz was driving westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-40 at the time of the accident.

The 26-year-old driver from Memphis, Tenn., survived the crash and is now in custody on multiple charges.

Palmer and Jones played four years of football under Cook and competed in powerlifting.

Salazar was a member of the football program for two years as a manager.

“These kids are still in the program even though they had graduated.

“My heart and prayers go out to them as well and everyone in the program now. This is something that no kid or coach or family member should ever have to go through.

“There’s not a whole lot to say, except those kids were loved by many. It shows the impact they had on their friends and family. My prayers are for them and the entire community.” 

Palmer and Jones graduated six days before their deaths. Salazar graduated early as a member of the Class of 2025.

Cook said both players were unselfish and did whatever was asked, both on and off the field.

Like Jones, who in addition to starting on defense and backup running back, took on punting and placekicking duties late in his senior season. His kicking efforts landed him first-team all-district honors.

Palmer was a second-team all-district pick on defense.

Both teenagers qualified for state in powerlifting, with Palmer taking 16th at his weight and Jones earning sixth place.

“They were good kids, they did everything we asked them to do. They were in the program for all four years and they’ll have a lasting impact for sure,” said Cook.

To honor the pair, Cook says Palmer’s No.1 jersey and Jones’ No.7 will not be issued during the 2026 season. Special helmet decals will be worn by players on the 2026 squad.

Fitting tribute for two players impacting so many lives.

“As their head powerlifting coach and football defensive coordinator, it was my privilege to mentor both Quincy and Brad. These two student athletes played pivotal roles in the success of sports for the district of El Reno Public Schools. Whether in the classroom, on the field or in the weight room, I personally bore witness to their hard work, dedication and growth to better themselves physically and mentally into exceptional young men.

“The passion they held for success on and off the field was undeniably candid. To say I, as well as the rest of the coaches were heartbroken when we heard the terrible news is an understatement. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to spend much time with both young men,” said EHS assistant coach Michael Pruitt.

While his interactions with Salazar were limited to two seasons, Cook remembers her infectious attitude.

“She always had a smile on her face. That is what I will always remember,” he said.

The same smile she had her freshman year as a member of the EHS Cheer Squad, said former coach Jacqueline Smith.

“Haliegh was a fun and energetic cheerleader with a love for life and football. I have lost students before, but never someone who had been a part of the cheer team. It is so hard to put into words the sadness we feel over the loss of one of our former cheerleaders.

“Even though her time cheering was during her freshman year, she will always be part of our cheer family. She brought kindness, laughter and a sweet spirit that so many will remember,” said Smith.

The crowd began filling the main pavilion at Lake El Reno around 6 p.m. Monday and spilled out into the surrounding areas within an hour.

The vigil opened with a word from El Reno High School student and Leadership Class member Karsyn Conner. The incoming senior introduced former El Reno educator Christina Sharp, who now works as Health Education Coordinator for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes.

Sharp spoke about the need for togetherness as a community and that students, parents and residents are not alone in this time of tragedy. She urged anyone, especially students, needing to talk about the loss to reach out to free telehealth counseling offered by the tribes through talkspace.

Those needing assistance can call 405-295-1769 or online at TOR@cheyenneandarapaho-nsn.gov.

Pastor Benny Lockler with Trinity Baptist Church led a prayer before candles were lit in memory and honor of the teenagers.

Retired El Reno educator Nancy Salsman and Brandi Higgins provided details of a planned El Reno Strong Benefit Poker Run on July 11.

The five-stop event will raise funds to be split evenly between the four families.

“We are asking for large-ticket items. We have a feeling this may be the biggest poker run fundraiser we have ever held,” said Higgins.