Volunteer firefighter responding to fatal car crash is devastated to find the victim is his own SON
16-year-old Carter Peterson was driving home from his girlfriend's when he was killed
AN AMERICAN volunteer firefighter was left devastated after he attended the scene of a car crash - and found the victim was his own 16-year-old son.
Randy Peterson, from Minnesota, knew son Carter hadn't made it home yet when he was called to the accident at around 10pm on Sunday.
The teen had been dropping off his girlfriend, Sarah, around 40 miles from his home in Ada, western Minnesota.
But when he repeatedly failed to pick up his phone, his father had a bad feeling about the crash he was responding to.
When he arrived at the scene, 10 miles from home, Randy saw the car on fire and knew it was Carter inside.
He told the : "'I dropped to my knees.
"I was a mess. Another member of the crew just held me."
The fatal accident occurred when a pickup truck allegedly ran through a stop sign, smashing into Carter's Dodge Avenger and causing it to roll over, crashing into a ditch and bursting into flames.
The teen died at the scene - while Ethan Stensgard, the 20-year-old pickup truck driver, was not seriously injured.
Authorities have revealed alcohol was detected in his system - but the county attorney has not yet confirmed if charges will be filed against him.
Dad Randy added: "Carter was probably the most cautious driver.
"Two hands on the wheel and he never sped.
"He did nothing wrong. He's driving down the road and all of a sudden somebody goes through a stop sign. In the blink of an eye and he's gone."
The teen's tragic death has left the small town of Ada devastated, as residents remember the 16-year-old, who loved American football and adored his girlfriend.
The Ada-Borup High School football team, which Carter played on, paid tribute to their teammate during a game - with each player sporting a number 63 on their helmet in a nod to the teen's jersey, which has been presented to his family.
The team also gave the Peterson family flowers and photographs, while the number 63 was painted on the field.
Meanwhile, their opponents, tribal school Cass Lake-Bena, performed a traditional drum chant and offered the family wild rice, which is seen as a symbol of hope.
Remembering his son's "infectious" smile, Randy Peterson said: "He had one of those infectious smiles and a genuine laugh and chuckle. He was always a happy person.
"He was looking to have fun and enjoy himself."
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