White Knoll High School Senior, Former Lexington County Fireman Perish in Tragic Collision
Unexpected Loss in Lexington, South Carolina
A devastating accident in Lexington, SC claimed the lives of a White Knoll High School senior and a retired Lexington County fireman late yesterday evening. The harrowing incident involved a collision between a motorcycle and a pedestrian.
The high school senior, as confirmed by Lexington School District One, was 17-year-old James Leonard Ely III. He was operating a motorcycle that hit 63-year-old Kevin Scott Collins, the retiree from the Lexington County Fire Department.
Regrettably, both Ely and Collins were pronounced dead at the crash site. A passenger on the motorcycle, traveling with Ely, sustained injuries and was promptly taken to a local hospital for treatment. Luckily, the passenger’s injuries were minor, and they are expected to make a speedy recovery.
School District Responds
In their statement regarding Ely’s untimely death, the school district announced: “School and district leaders are focusing on supporting James’s family and the WKH students and employees. A loss and grief crisis response team of school counselors and school psychologists was on campus today. Lexington County School District One also partners with Care Solace to support the well-being of students and their family members.”
Care Solace, a confidential service, helps students and their kin find suitable mental health options that cater to their specific needs – a service that is currently of paramount importance amidst this tragic incident.
Details of the Tragic Event
Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher detailed the incident, disclosed that the accident took place near Kyzer Road, approximately at 10 p.m. Collins was crossing the street after checking his mailbox when Ely, who was heading west on his motorcycle, struck him down.
Ely was confirmed to have been wearing his helmet when the tragic event occurred but sadly succumbed to his injuries. The distraught community is currently mourning this unfortunate loss.
Community Members Voice Their Thoughts
Shockwaves of grief have hit those in the local community as word spread about the incident. Kenny Miles, a neighbor of Collins, expressed his sorrow, commenting, “A grown person going to check his mail that’s all he was doing.”
Chris Harrington, another one of Collins’ neighbors, reflected on the incident, stating, “I mean it’s unfortunate, that both had to end in a tragic way. A young child, 17 years old that should not happen to him, nor should it happen to a gentlemen that is in his retirement, its sad either way.”
Investigation Underway
The South Carolina Highway Patrol, in conjunction with the Lexington County Coroner, is currently investigating the incident in an attempt to unpack the circumstances leading up to this devastating occurrence.
