MARSTON, NC : A Richmond Senior High School student was killed and six other people injured including two young children following a wreck on May, Wednesday 3rd 2017

A Richmond Senior High School student was killed, and six other people injured — including two young children — following a Wednesday morning wreck, according to the N.C. Highway Patrol.Kayla Janelle Payne, a 19-year-old senior, died at the scene after the car she was riding in collided with another near the fire station in Marston, Trooper L.E. Sampson told the Daily Journal on Friday afternoon.

Payne, and her brother, 18-year-old Keith Kelly McElveen, were passengers of 18-year-old Torahn Anton-Morris Vertus when his Nissan was travelling south on U.S. 1, ran off the road, over-corrected and crossed the center line, colliding with a Ford passenger car driven by 25-year-old Kenneth Orlando Covington, according to Sampson.

The trooper said the Nissan overturned and came to rest on the driver’s side with the front of the car facing the road. The Ford was also off the highway, with its tail end facing the road.

Sampson said he was dispatched at 7:49 a.m. and that witnesses on the scene had called 911 immediately following the wreck.

Vertus and McElveen — also high school students — were both airlifted to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, where they were listed in stable condition on Friday, each with several fractures, the trooper said. Their injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.

Covington had three passengers: 22-year-old Mikela Monique Allred and two children in car seats, ages 3 and 1.

The driver and youngest child were both taken to FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital in Rockingham. Allred, who Sampson said is seven-months pregnant, was taken to FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst. The three-year-old was initially taken to Richmond, but later transferred to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation, Sampson said.

RSHS Principal Jim Bulter sent out an announcement to parents following the wreck.

“This is a great loss for all of us,” he said. “When a tragedy like this occurs, it impacts not only Richmond Senior High School, but all of Richmond County Schools.”

Butler said that guidance counselors were at the school to talk with students and staff and provide support “during this difficult time.”

“Our staff will continue to watch for students who may be struggling, and we will continue to take these measures as long as needed,” he added. “As a parent, I hope you will take time to talk with your child about this incident and allow them to share their thoughts and feelings…I hope you will keep this family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

Payne’s family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines. A graveside funeral service is set for 2 p.m. Sunday at Pinebluff Cemetery.

Source :
Richmond Senior student killed in wreck; 6 others injured