‘Heartbroken’: 14-year-old dies after car hits middle school students, SC officials say
A 14-year-old boy died after a car hit him and another South Carolina middle school student, officials said.
A Toyota was traveling west on a Union County road when the driver struck two people, state troopers told news outlets. The pedestrians had been walking in the opposite direction at the time of the crash early on Sunday, Aug. 28, according to WHNS and WSPA.
One of the pedestrians — identified as 14-year-old Dontrea Austin of Union — died from crash-related injuries.
In response to McClatchy News’ request for comment, Union County Schools said it was aware of a “tragic accident” that involved two middle schoolers.
“We were heartbroken to learn that one of those students passed away due to his injuries,” the district wrote in an emailed statement. “The entire school district sends our deepest condolences to the family of Dontrea Austin.”
Two people inside the Toyota weren’t hurt, and the second pedestrian was taken to a hospital, WYFF and other news outlets reported.
The school district in its statement said that their officials had “received positive reports about the condition of our other student, and we pray for a speedy recovery.”
The crash was reported at about 7:15 a.m. on Williford Road. The area is off S.C. Highway 215 and roughly 30 miles southeast of Spartanburg.
As of that evening, the crash reportedly was still under investigation. The Union County Coroner’s Office in a news release said an autopsy had been scheduled.
The day after the incident, Union County Schools said it was offering support.
“Additional counselors, district staff, and faith-based representatives from the community were made available (Monday) morning at Sims Middle School to be a shoulder or a listening ear to those students trying to process this tragedy,” officials wrote.
The coroner’s office and S.C. Highway Patrol didn’t immediately respond to McClatchy News’ requests for additional information on Aug. 29.
This story was originally published August 29, 2022 at 2:11 PM with the headline "‘Heartbroken’: 14-year-old dies after car hits middle school students, SC officials say."
