Vigil planned, counselors being made available following fatal Pembroke crash

PLYMOUTH, Mass. — A Plymouth school is making counselors available after a weekend crash in Pembroke killed a 13-year-old student and seriously injured her mother and a classmate.

Claire Zisserson was killed when an alleged drunken and drugged driver slammed his truck into the car she was riding in just before 7 a.m. at the intersection of Church and Oak streets.

Zisserson’s friend, Kendall Zemotel, was also in the car and suffered severe injuries. At last check, she was in critical condition at Boston Children’s Hospital. Zisserson’s mother was seriously hurt as well, but is back home recovering.

Both of the girls are eighth-grade students at Rising Tide Charter Public School in Plymouth.

Head of School Michael O’Keefe told Boston 25 News he opened the school on Tuesday and provided support from counselors for students and their families.

>>‘We just need a bunch of prayers’: Plymouth reeling after horrifying crash

Additional counselors and resources will be available all next week for students, staff members and families who may need or want help surrounding this loss.

“Our Rising Tide community is heartbroken by this tragedy,” O’Keefe said in a statement. “I ask for help from everyone in the Rising Tide family to pull together to support our two 8th grade families and all of our children.”

A public prayer vigil will be held for the victims on Sunday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Brewster Gardens, a park located in the center of Plymouth.

“We will be gathering as a community to show support for the families of Claire and Kendall,” event organizer Katie Kearney said in a statement. “Prayers of healing for Kendall and strength for Claire’s family.”

The driver accused of causing the crash, 31-year-old Gregory Goodsell of Marshfield, has pleaded not guilty to charges, including manslaughter while operating under the influence. A judge ordered Goodsell be held without bail ahead of a dangerousness hearing Friday.

>>RELATED: 13-year-old Pembroke crash victim identified, driver charged with manslaughter OUI

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