OLD TOWN – Community members continued Thursday to mourn the death of two Old Town High School students who were killed the day before in a car accident that police are still investigating.

Lindsey Almenas, 16, of Indian Island, and her boyfriend, Ryan Worcester, 17, of Old Town, were killed Wednesday when Almenas drove out of Worcester’s driveway on Route 43 and into the path of a cement truck shortly before 8 a.m., according to Old Town police Capt. Kyle Smart.

An impromptu candlelight vigil was held Wednesday night at the Riverfront Park. Old Town High School Principal Joseph Gallant reported that the gathering included about 150 people.

There also was a traditional drumming ceremony held Thursday morning at the Indian Island School, which was attended by “a lot of Old Town students,” Penobscot Indian Nation Chief Jim Sappier said. “It was really kind of emotional.”

Students continued to write messages on large pieces of paper hung up by counselors throughout the high school that will be delivered to the student’s families, and several other high schools sent flower bouquets that adorned a table in the lobby.

“We have them on display out here in the lobby so the kids can see the cards and flowers that other schools are sending us,” Gallant said. “That’s so heartfelt.”

School counselors were again on hand Thursday to talk to students, and other professionals, including clergy and local practitioners, were more than willing to help if needed, Gallant said.

“It’s just kind of letting them mourn in their own way, and we try to help them in the best way we can,” the principal said. “At this point, things seem better than yesterday.”

Worcester, a senior, played basketball, while Almenas, a junior, participated in spring track. Both were described by their principal as “happy-go-lucky kids” who were “always smiling.”

Almenas was a typical teenage girl who enjoyed spending time with her friends and shopping and was proud of her Penobscot heritage.

Her baptismal name, Lindsey Marie “Ma’nakwane” Almenas, means she was the rainbow that shined on everyone. A member of Sukulis, the Penobscot Nation’s girls drumming group, she was a major part of the Indian Island community.

While some school activities have been canceled or postponed, school officials intended to hold a soccer game scheduled for Thursday. All activities for today and Saturday, however, have been postponed to allow students to attend visiting hours and funerals for their classmates.

Homecoming activities that were scheduled for this weekend have been moved to the week of Oct. 3.

The police are continuing to investigate the accident, but a conclusion as to its cause likely won’t come for a couple of weeks until reconstruction crews complete their report and a certified copy of Almenas’ drivers license is received from the state.

Almenas was driving a 1993 Saturn and, contrary to other media reports, drove out of Worcester’s driveway at 917 West Old Town Rd. and was struck by a cement truck owned by Owen J. Folsom Inc. of Old Town.

Worcester was pronounced dead at the scene. Almenas was transported by ambulance to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor but died shortly after arriving at the hospital. It is unknown if either was wearing a seat belt.

The cement truck was driven by Paul Cote, 67, of Old Town, who was not injured in the accident.

There is some question as to whether Almenas should have been driving with a passenger. First-time drivers under the age of 18 are under certain restrictions for the first 180 days of their permanent license, police said. They aren’t allowed to have nonrelated passengers with them, and they’re restricted to the hours that they can drive, Old Town police Capt. Kyle Smart said.

“It appears right now that [Almenas] did obtain her license approximately within the last month,” Old Town police Sgt. Michael Hashey said. “However, we can’t be sure until we get the certified copy from the state.”

The driver’s license, however, is not the focus of the investigation.

“The only focus we have right now is what caused the accident,” Hashey said, noting that police are looking into possible visual obstructions, mechanical defects and the speed of the vehicles.

As for the reconstruction, police did additional work Thursday in gathering information.

“From here on in, that’s when they’ll make their calculations and complete the entire reconstruction report and have that reviewed,” Hashey said of the investigators. “That may take a couple of weeks.”

Visiting hours for Almenas will be held from noon Friday to 9 a.m. Saturday at St. Ann’s Catholic Church on Indian Island. Her funeral will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Indian Island Community Building, followed by a potluck reception.

Contributions in her memory can be made to the Lindsey M. Almenas Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 323, Old Town, ME 04468.

Worcester’s friends and family are invited to visit from 6 to 8 p.m. at Brookings-Smith Funeral Home on Center Street in Bangor. The funeral will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with burial at Lawndale Cemetery in Old Town.

Gifts in Worcester’s memory can be sent to a scholarship fund in his memory, C/O Karen Larson, Old Town High School, 203 Stillwater Ave., Old Town, ME 04468.