More than 50 students gathered in a Danville church Friday morning to pray for four of their friends and a borough woman injured Wednesday night in a crash that left two boys in critical condition.
Ross Litz and Alex Vitunac were reported to be in critical condition at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, a hospital spokeswoman said.
David Vitunac, Alex's brother, and Kyle Gruss, were listed in fair condition at Geisinger.
The Vitunacs play football and basketball for Danville High. Alex will be a senior this fall.
Litz plays football and basketball while Gruss plays basketball and is on the golf and tennis teams.
The Rev. Harry Wonderland, of The First Baptist Church in Danville, said that the Friday morning prayer session was suggested by other members of the football team who wanted to do something together for the accident victims.
The idea for the gathering was suggested Thursday night, but overnight word spread, and 50 students arrived at the church, accompanied by a dozen parents and other adults, Wonderland said.
"I read a passage from the Book of Job ... and told them stuff happens. Every day is a gift, so you should love people while we've got them," Wonderland said.
A number of players on the school's football team participate in a weekly chapel session sponsored by Danville churches on Friday game nights. The players gather for prayers, then are fed dinner before heading back to play their game, Wonderland said. That ministry likely fostered the connection that prompted the team members to turn to the church in their time of crisis, he said.
A similar prayer session was held last fall when a group of cheerleaders were injured in a car crash.
In the most recent crash, the teens were on their way home from a basketball game Wednesday night in Williamsport when a westbound 2005 GMC Envoy, driven by Linda Beachel, 63, of the Danville area, drifted off Route 54 on the Washingtonville Hill near Blue School Road during a downpour and sideswiped guide rails. State police at Milton said her vehicle then crossed into the oncoming lane and struck the 2002 Mazda 626 carrying the four teens.
A Geisinger spokeswoman reported Beachel remained in serious condition Friday.
The 16-year-old driver and the front seat passenger, age 17, were the most seriously injured, police said. The back seat passengers were listed at 15 and 16 years old. The police report didn't identify the boys, who are all from Danville, because they are juveniles. Because they weren't identified, it isn't known who was driving.
Messages for comment on how the teens are faring were left Friday at the Vitunac and Gruss homes.
n John Finnerty of The Daily Item contributed to this report.