Dajo Dan Castano

13-year-old youth is killed while sledding near his home

Dajo Castano, 13-year old son of Pat and Milton Himes, was killed when the sled on which he was riding collided with a moving car on Fourth St. shortly before 11 a.m. last Saturday morning.

According to Lusk Police Chief Tom Oliver four boys were sledding on a hill on the south side of Fourth St. between Poplar and Holly St. when the accident occurred. Oliver explains that the youngsters were sledding off the hill in a northeasterly direction, ending up on Fourth St.

Dajo was killed when he came off the incline into the street and collided with a car driven by George Hillen of Lusk. Oliver said that Hillen was not traveling fast, according to a witness report and would have had difficulty seeing the boy on the sled due to the angle the children were coming off the hill. Oliver added that it was also unlikely that Dajo could see traffic on the street because of the swirling snow created from the sled's movement.

Dajo was transported to Niobrara Memorial Hospital by ambulance where he was pronounced dead of massive head trauma, Chief Oliver said. Mr. Hillen was not injured and no citations or charges were filed in connection with the accident, Oliver reports.

Memorial service for Dajo was held at Peet Mortuary Chapel yesterday, December 15. Laird Johnson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints officiated.

Dajo Dan Castano was born October 25, 1969 at Kemmerer, the son of Daniel F. and Patricia Castano. He came to Lusk in 1969 and at the time of his death was a seventh grade student at Lusk Middle School. He loved sports of all kinds and was a member of the LDS Church.

Marilyn Pennington was organist for the service and Judy Johnson sang "I am a Child of God". Active pallbearers were Kenneth Keller, Willis Stallman, David Himes, Bruce Himes, LeRoy Leonard and Ray Taylor. Honorary bearers were all his classmates and friends. Interment was in Lusk Cemetery.

Dajo was preceded in death by one half-sister. He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Patricia and Milton Himes, one sister Holly Castano of the family home, two half-sister, Rolinda Arnold and Misty Himes; two step-sisters, Cheri Keller and Bobbie Stallman and two-step-brothers, Bruce and David Himes.

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