2LT Caitlyn LeClerc

Newly commissioned 2LT LeClerc with her parents

On September 6th she was a passenger in a GMC driven by another LT with another young man in the back seat. The driver lost control of the SUV and rolled into a rock wall. She and the boy in back were not wearing seat belts and were both ejected from the vehicle. The coroner said she was killed instantly.

Not mentioned is that this family has served this country extensively including military service.  Also, this family is obviously grieving this loss.  Please pray for the family and if you would like to, please leave your message of condolence here.  

Leavenworth, Kan. —

Catilyn LeClerc
21, Leavenworth
2nd Lt. Caitlyn Victoria LeClerc, 21, died Monday, Sept. 6, 2010, from injuries suffered in an automobile accident when she was returning to school from a Labor Day vacation at the Lake of the Ozarks.

She was born Jan. 7, 1989, weighing only two pounds but proved she was a fighter from the beginning and became so strong that although she was only five feet two inches tall and weighted 110 pounds she could do 88 pushups in two minutes. She always made her own rules and brightened the lives of all she met.
Caitlyn was a 2007 graduate of Leavenworth High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society, the ROTC Drill Team Commander and Prom Queen. She was a 2010 graduate of Wentworth Military Academy where she excelled in both academic and military leadership skills. She was awarded the Outstanding Company Commander award for individual leadership and service. She commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the United States Army at her graduation in May. She was also a member of the Missouri National Guard 35th Combat Aviation Brigade.

Caitlyn had just begun classes at the University of Missouri to complete her degree in International Studies.

Caitlyn is survived by her father and mother, Dr. Byron and Teresa LeClerc; and her brothers, Alex age 23, Thomas age 11 and her little sister, Grace age 11
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010, at the R.L. Leintz Funeral Home. The rosary will be prayed at 5:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 10, 2010, at Immaculate Conception Catholic church with Rev. David McEvoy, O.Carm., as celebrant. Inurnment will be at Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project.

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Columbia woman dies in car crash

Published September 7, 2010 at 11:11 a.m.
Updated September 7, 2010 at 1:36 p.m.

A one-vehicle accident early yesterday in southwest Missouri claimed the life of a Columbia woman and left the driver facing charges of vehicular manslaughter and assault.

Caitlyn V. LeClerc, 21, died in the incident that happened shortly after 8 a.m. yesterday when a 2003 GMC driven by John S. Dulaney, 21, of Columbia, ran off Highway 39 south of Viola in Stone County, according to a report by Trooper Terry Bible of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The car overturned, and LeClerc was pronounced dead at the scene by Stone County Coroner Jim Fohn.

Dulaney and a second passenger, Robert A. Carter of Columbia, suffered serious injuries and were taken by helicopter to Springfield for treatment, Bible said.

After Dulaney was tested for alcohol, he was arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter by intoxication, felony assault and careless and imprudent driving resulting in an accident. He was released to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield for care, Bible said. No formal charges had been filed as of early today.

Please, reinforce to your children that they should wear their seatbelts, not drive after drinking or be driven by those that have been drinking and be a true friend to others by enforcing those standards.