Welcome

Welcome to Jessica Uhl and Kelli’s Uhl website. 

Jessica and Kelli were killed on November 23, 2007 when an Illinois State Trooper, travelling 126 MPH, crossed the median and slammed into their car, killing them instantly. 

Jessica was a freshman at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville.  She was pursuing a career in marketing and public relations.

Kelli was in 8th grade at Collinsville Middle School.  She was a cheerleader and a member of the National Junior Honor Society.

They left behind their mother and father, step-mother and step-father, a sister and a brother, and many uncles, aunts, grandparents, cousins and friends.

To celebrate their lives, a fundraiser will be held on July 13, 2008 at the KC Hall in Collinsville, Illinois.  Tickets are $20 per person, which include dinner, dancing, a DJ, silent auction, raffles, door prizes, and much more. 

You can request tickets through here by leaving a comment, or by email at jesskelli1123@yahoo.com

All proceeds benefit the Jessica Uhl Scholarship Fund at SIUE, the CMS/CHS Cheerleaders, and other organizations. 

This website was created, not only as a source of information for their fundraiser, but also a place where friends, family, or perfect strangers can post stories, comments, thoughts, pictures, or memories about Jessica and Kelli. 

Although they were taken from us suddenly, we can remember them here.

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12 Responses to Welcome

  1. admin says:

    EDIT: The fundraiser is at the KC Hall in Collinsville, not Caseyville. The information on the flyer is correct. Sorry for any confusion.

  2. Linda Smith says:

    Such an awful loss of two beautiful lives. We didn’t know Jessica or Kelli but we, too, lost a child as the result of the actions of a police office. He chased a van across state lines which eventually hit and killed our son. Later, at a the murder trial of the driver of the van, the officer testified he had lied about the reason for the chase…it was undertaken just because the individual “looked suspicious”. It was later determined the van was stolen and the driver had weapons. However, all of this was found out after the chase and was unknown to the officer when he began the chase.

    The man driving the van was found guilty of first degree murder and was sentenced to 48 years in prision. The officer cooperated with federal authorities regarding corruption in the Florrisant Police Department and was never charged with a crime. However, his license to be a police officer was revoked and he will never be able to hold a job in law enforcement again.

    We filed suit against the police entities involved also, and I have done some campaigning for changes to police chase policies. It isn’t to eliminate police chases entirely, but to put punishments in place to deter officers from “jumping the gun and playing cowboy” and harsher punishment on individuals who run from the police.

    Our son died December 2, 2003, two months after his 32nd birthday. Each day is a struggle but I, his mother, find comfort knowing my son is in God’s hands and his pain and suffering is over. May God bless you and keep you and give you peace.

  3. Robin Marine says:

    I did not know Jessica or Kelli but have been deeply affected by their deaths since I was a passenger in a car just about a quarter of a mile behind them that fateful day. I realized after this happened that every time any one of us gets in our car to drive somewhere, we could be victims of the same fate. The fact that these two young girls were killed by someone that was hired to protect them is an irony that can’t be ignored. I’m sure the patrolman who is responsible for this tragedy is now sorry for his actions, but it will never bring Jessica or Kelli back to their families. I have read that this was the third accident that he was involved in while on duty and hopefully, he will never again be given the opportunity to use his badge as a license for behaving in an irresponsible manner. As sad as I am about the loss of these beautiful girls, I also feel some compassion for this officer who will have to live the rest of his life knowing that he took two lives that day in November when he made the decision to put his need for speed ahead of the safety of everyone else on the road.

    My heart goes out to the family members that Jessica and Kelli have left behind. Having two grown daughters of my own, I can only vaguely imagine the pain and agony they feel. I’m not sure that a parent would ever be able to fully get over such a tragedy, but I want you to know that my prayers are with you as you struggle through each day. I have attended a couple of fund raisers in Jessica and Kelli’s honor and have had conversations with people who actually knew them and their legacy is a testament to your success as a parent. It also speaks of their character, their love of life and the impact they left on the lives of others. Some people live a full life without affecting people the way Jessica and Kelli did in the few years they were on this earth. I’m sure you are so very proud of them…but never lose sight of the fact that children learn by example and you did your job well.

    As a very spiritual person, I could not ignore that the God I worship and believe in allowed this tragedy to happen and I struggled to understand His reasons. Through prayer and much thought, I have decided that Jessica and Kelli were called to a better place for another purpose and they are now angels that will watch over those they left behind. I pray that the peace and contentment of their everlasting spiritual presence aids in the healing of all those affected by this senseless tragedy.

    In closing, I would like to thank you for making it possible through this site for people like myself to share their thoughts with you and I hope it is helpful for you to know that others grieve with you. Take care of yourselves and peace be with you always.

  4. Sammy Cardin says:

    Very sorry to hear about your girls and hope that the lord helps you in everyday!!!

    Keep your head up!

    see ya

    Sammy Cardin.

  5. Sallie Hughes says:

    Kim, I know the pain is still fierce – you know we lost a 50-year old son to a massive heart attack – Fletcher – in 2005 – the loss is still felt although we know we will be with him again some day.

    Keep your eyes on Jesus – He will see you thru – would love to see you at the Yates reunion.

  6. amyinbc says:

    I am so sorry for your unimaginable loss. I have two daughters and to lose them in such a way would tear me apart. I wish you all the love and support you deserve.

  7. Julie says:

    What beautiful girls. I am so sorry for your loss.

  8. Sara says:

    I didn’t know you’re girls, but am deeply struck by your loss. I am 19 and can’t bear it when I see other young lives lost. I don’t think there is anything I can say but that there are people who are sharing your grief. I hope that you pull through intact and that justice is served.

  9. holly says:

    bless you and your family. i too suffered the loss of my dear sister when she was 16 years old and it is really tough to go through and deal with. i find that journaling helped so much and i keep her memory alive with her own myspace page. i hope to meet you at a stl bloggers meetup soon. 😉

  10. Mandy says:

    I just wanted to say, I was just told about this site, and the fundraiser coming up soon. Everyone at Ruby Tuesday’s misses her so much! She will never be forgotten. I will post this site, and the information about the fundraiser, and hopefully help get the word out! Happy early birthday to Jessica!

  11. Kim says:

    I never had the pleasure of meeting kelli but over the years Jessica had tanned at our facility and she was always so sweet and polite and just always had a smile on her face, we were all saddened and sickened when we heard what had happened and honestly could just not believe it. I have a daughter myself and I cannot even pretend to imagine what your family has been through, you are in our thoughts and prayers everyday. We have the flyers for the fundraiser posted in our salon, their smiles were amazing and everytime I walk by them I can’t help but to smile back at your two angels

  12. Becky Meyer says:

    I met Kelli back when she was in elementary school at Summit and became friends with my daughter Taylor. She would come over to our house and spend the night now and then. Kelli was always happy and polite, she had a smile from ear to ear that would lite up a room.When she would smile it would make me smile and it is something that I will never forget. What a great kid! Kim, you and Brian should be very proud, both of your girls left lasting impressions on so many people in a short amount of time, most people can’t even do that in a lifetime. Taylor would leave messages to Kelli every snowfall over the winter on our cars and in our yard written in the snow so she could see it, now that it’s warm I’ll walk out into the driveway and she will have left something for Kelli written in sidewalk chalk. I never really knew Jessica, only that she was Kelli’s older sister, but she would come down our street to pick up LeAnn. She would pull in the driveway and honk the horn, LeAnn would run out, jump in the car and they would both take off with a smile on their face, I would laugh remembering what it was like to be that young and carefree. Since I prefer being outdoors I would see her come down quite often and I just got used to it. I guess you just dont realize all those little things in life and how much they mean to you. We take so many tiny things for granted, and I think those are the most important… I would give anything to see her come down that street again….I would give anything to see that smile of Kelli’s again.It’s been very hard for me, I think of the girls everyday, and I think of Kim and Brian, and I can’t even imagine what you must be going through, my heart goes out to you, I wish you and your entire family peace and justice. Thank you for putting together the fundraiser, it’s a great way for the family and community to remember and heal. I truly believe that God had a greater plan for Kelli and Jessica.

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