Lawndale, a small town in Cleveland County, is dealing with a serious incident that took place in front of Burns High School. Two students, Dequavious Dezantrel Hopper, 17, and Jaelyn Omari Abraham, 14, tragically lost their lives in a collision while another, 16-year-old Xzavier Lamont Sanders, was critically injured. QC News reported that the crash happened yesterday afternoon as students were leaving the school premises.
The students were traveling in a Ford Focus when they attempted to turn onto a nearby street and collided head-on with a white Ford F-450. The Highway Patrol relayed that no charges will be filed in relation to the crash. Following the tragedy. Bernice Henderson, a local resident, stated, "It's everybody's pain and everybody's sadness because in Lawndale everybody knows each other and we are family," in a statement obtained by QC News.
Counselors have been made available at the high school to support the students. While on scene, Sgt. Brian Theis from the State Highway Patrol, who has responded to many such incidents in his career, remarked to WSOCTV, "It’s never easier. It’s always hard and it’s not something we like or enjoy responding to."
Traffic congestion at the end of the school day was highlighted as a potential hazard by Bigham in the same interview. This sentiment was echoed by Bernice Henderson, who told WBTV that "Our hearts are with them, and our prayers, and all the support of the community."
