Former EJHS Principal Holst Killed in Crash (ADDING FUNERAL SERVICES)

Former Effingham Junior High School principal Scott Holst was killed in a two-vehicle crash in Clinton County Thursday evening.

The crash occurred at 5:50pm along US 50 between Shattuc and Ferrin when Holst's vehicle collided head-on with another vehicle.  Clinton County sheriff's deputies are investigating whether last night's high winds and icing might have been factors contributing to the crash.  US 50 in the area of the crash was closed for about two hours and crews were called to the scene to handle icing in the area of the crash, known as the Dekemper Curves.  The name of the other driver, who was not injured, has not been released.

Deputies say Holst was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Breese following the crash.  He later died there from his injuries.

Holst went to work for Effingham Unit 40 as assistant junior high school principal in 2001 and was elevated to junior high principal when the position became open two years later.  He left Unit 40 after the 2009-2010 school year. 

Unit 40 Superintendent Mark Doan today released a statement reading, in part, "Many of the staff in Unit 40, and especially at EJHS knew Scott very well and appreciated his efforts in supporting their work with students.  Scott was respected by EJHS staff.  This news is a shock and it will take some time for staff members to deal with this tragic news."

Holst was currently working as director of the TRIO Program at Kaskaskia College in Centralia.  He was also the husband of Salem High School Girls Basketball Coach Janet Holst and had served as an assistant girls coach, working with his wife.

Funeral services for Scott Holst will be Sunday at 1:30pm at Grace United Methodist Church in Salem.  Visitation will be from 2 to 5pm Saturday at Rogers-Atkins Funeral Home in Salem.