White Knoll High School senior, former Lexington County fireman die in crash

Tragedy unfolded on the normally quiet streets of Lexington, South Carolina, Thursday evening. A White Knoll high school senior and a retired Lexington County firefighter tragically passed away following a motorcycle collision.

The Incident

Lexington School District One confirmed the 17-year-old motorcyclist involved in the incident was James Leonard Ely III, a senior at White Knoll High School. The retired firefighter, Kevin Scott Collins, aged 63, was the other individual involved in the tragic occurrence.
The collision allegedly took place on Kyzer Road around 10 p.m. According to the Lexington County Coroner, Collins, was crossing the road after checking his mailbox when he was struck by Ely, who was riding his motorcycle westbound.

The Aftermath

Emergency responders pronounced both Ely and Collins dead on the scene. A passenger, who was travelling with Ely on the motorcycle, escaped with minor injuries and has since been transported to a local area hospital.

Community Reaction

The shocking incident has sent ripples of sorrow through the tightly-knit community. The school district released a statement expressing their condolences and affirming their commitment to support James’s family and the WKH students.

Neighborhood residents have also been vocal about the impact of the tragic event. Kenny Miles, a neighbor of Collins, was devastated upon hearing the news. Similarly, Chris Harrington, who lives on the same stretch of road, remarked: “I mean it’s unfortunate, they both had to end in such 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.”

The Investigation

The South Carolina Highway Patrol and the Lexington County Coroner have launched an active investigation into the incident. More details will be released as the investigation unravels.

White Knoll High School and the Larger Lexington Community Mourns

A wave of grief has swept across the school community and beyond, touching the lives of every person in this tight-knit community. The school district has taken swift action by deploying a crisis response team comprised of school counselors and psychologists who will be on hand to provide support to the grieving students and their families. The Lexington School District One has also partnered with Care Solace to provide mental health support for students and their family members who may be struggling during this challenging time.