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New grad, off duty deputy in crash at SCHS

Williams Township firefighters cut away a car door in front of South Columbus High School.

Story & Photos

By DEUCE NIVEN

tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com

     A just graduated member of South Columbus High School’s Class of 2018 and an off duty Columbus County Sheriff’s Office deputy were involved in a serious auto collision in front of the school this morning.

     That graduate was flown by AirReach helicopter from the school to Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, his mother by ambulance to McLeod Loris hospital, following the T-bone crash after 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

     Neither the deputy, nor his young son who was in the Jeep Wrangler when it hit the driver’s side of the four-door Ford sedan were injured, refusing medical treatment.

     School staff including Principal Adam Thompson and Assistant Principal Michelle Simmons were in the highway rending aid and offering comfort at emergency crews from Tabor City Emergency Services and Williams Township Fire Department responded.

     Other deputies, already on campus for graduation, also aided with scene and traffic control.

     “Jaws of Life” extrication tools were used to cut the door and post away from the heavily damaged driver’s side of the car, where the new graduate was seated. His mother was in the front passenger seat.

     The senior was conscious and talking as he was taken from the car to the ambulance before making the short ride to the football field as the medical helicopter landed.

     Three NC Highway Patrol troopers responded, that agency investigating the crash.

     Look for more on this story in the next Tabor-Loris Tribune in print and online.