Motor Accident on Kyzer Road Claims Lives of Retired Firefighter and High School Student

Tragic Crash on Kyzer Road Claims Lives of Retired Firefighter and High School Teen

In an extremely tragic turn of events, two people tragically lost their lives in a motor accident that took place in Lexington County. The victims have been identified as 63-year-old Kevin Collins, a retired firefighter of the Lexington County Fire Department, and 17-year-old James Ely, a high school student.

Incident Details

The incident occurred on Tuesday night around 10 pm along Kyzer Road in Lexington. According to the eyewitnesses, Collins was on his way back from his mailbox positioned across the street from his home when he was hit by a motorcycle, ridden by James Ely.

The family members of the teenage biker informed that there was a second passenger riding on the back of the motorcycle during the time of the incident. Authorities have ascertained that this third involved party, fortunately, suffered only minor injuries. As for the other two, it was a different story. Ely was reportedly wearing a helmet, but the impact of the crash was too severe. Both he and Collins were declared dead at the scene.

The Investigation

The South Carolina highway patrol, now investigating into the case, has assured that they are doing everything possible to shed light on this unfortunate event. They are gathering all possible evidence from the crash site and working in liaison with other local authorities for a thorough and comprehensive investigation.

Community Reactions

To say that the local community is saddened is an understatement. The fatal accident sent shockwaves through the Lexington neighborhood. Kevin Collins, who had a long and dedicated career in the fire department, was a much-respected personality in the local community.

One of Collins’ neighbors, Chris Harrington, shared some heartfelt words about the veteran firefighter. “He was a very nice gentleman. He loved to talk, especially about his firefighting career, which was always fascinating to listen to,” Harrington said.

The mystery and confusion on the night of the accident still haunt many residents. “Ambulances, fire trucks, cops lined up right till in front of my house. It was hushed – you couldn’t see anything, nobody was telling anything. The neighbors around me, we were all just wondering what was going on,” Harrington added.

A Community Mourning the Loss

Both Collins and Ely’s untimely passings have left an unmistakable void in their community. The grief is felt with equal intensity in the White Knoll High School, where Ely studied. The school is reportedly offering grief counseling to students and staff to help cope with the tragic news.

The loss is particularly felt within the Lexington County Fire Department family, where Collins retired after years of dedicated service. Given the challenging profession’s nature, the fire service fraternity shares tight-knit, almost familial bonds, and a loss of one of their own is a heartbreaking tragedy.

This incident brings forth a harsh reminder of the importance of following traffic rules and safety measures. The local community’s thoughts and prayers are with the families of both the departed souls in these difficult times.