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SPRINGFIELD The death of his close friend, Jack Springer, more than two years
ago may have led Donald Oaks to take his own life, say close friends and family. But
nobody knows for sure.
The 17-year-old Springfield youth died at 6 a.m. May 21, about 15 hours after he
had graduated from Springfield Central High School. He celebrated the event at a party
But on his way to the grave Oaks lost control of his car and went into a ditch,
according to his friend Greg Manning, a passenger in the car. Manning said Oaks then
pulled out his knife and was going to slit his wrists. Manning calmed him down, and
Oaks put the knife away.
Those who knew Oaks say the suicide might be linked to remorse over the death of
Springer, who was killed in a truck accident. Oaks was with him at the time.
According to Ms. Oaks, Oaks and Springer were inseparable. They fished, hunted,
rode bikes and did everything together. And when Springer died, Oaks really never
understood why.