Barbara Lawlor, Nederland. Two Nederland High School students were injured when the driver of a 1988 Dodge Ram Charger lost control of the vehicle and it rolled, coming to a stop about 20 yards off the highway right side up in an aspen glade, according to the Colorado State Patrol report.

The Dodge was traveling northbound on Hwy. 119, near the 22.5 mile marker near Kelly Dahl Campground, around 9 p.m. on October 13, when the vehicle ran onto the right shoulder. The driver tried to compensate and veered left off the highway, knocking down a barbed wire fence and flipping over, landing on its wheels, stopped by the trees..

The driver, Miles Pancoast, 18, an NHS senior, was ejected from the vehicle. He was transported by Flight for Life to St. Anthony's Hospital with back injuries. Passenger Nick Kassera, 18, also an NHS senior, was transported by ambulance to the hospital. Neither of the men were wearing seat belts.

Emergency responders from Nederland Fire Protection District, Nederland Police Department, Timberline Fire Protection District, Gilpin Ambulance, Gilpin County Sheriff's Department and AMR Ambulance were part of the rescue. The boys were stabilized at the scene and prepared for their trip to the hospital.

Both students are members of the NHS football team. Pancoast was the Homecoming King at the dance Saturday night and played in the Homecoming game on Saturday afternoon, which was a huge win against the Longmont Christian Warriors.

A prayer vigil was held Tuesday night at the Peace Garden at the entrance to Nederland 6 p.m. Tuesday evening when Pancoast was scheduled for surgery. Nederland Community Presbyterian Church pastor Hansen Wendlandt offered words of peace and healing to the group, who came together in support of the boys and their families.

He prayed, "God who heals all brokenness, please lay your hands upon Miles and Nick. May your presence be with the young men, so they can see hope through their pain and fear. May your comfort be with their families and friends, so that they can support each other. May your wisdom be with the doctors and nurses, especially in tonight's surgery."

Local nonprofit Peak to Peak Healthy Communities Project is setting up a fund to help the families. Donations may be dropped off at Brightwood Music, Mutual of Omaha Bank or mailed to PPHCP, PO Box 668 Nederland, CO 80466. There is a group on facebook (Community Cares) at https://www.facebook.com/groups/728431973876914/ with specific needs and concerns of the families.