Community mourns 15-year-old killed in crash during prayer vigil at Greenbrier High
EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A poignant spontaneous memorial started taking shape Thursday where a Greenbrier High School student died just hours earlier.
The 15-year-old boy, Gordon Carmichael, is being mourned by his classmates and family.
He died in a single-vehicle accident around 4:30 a.m. at Riverwood Parkway and Amberley Drive in Evans, according to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said he lost control of the car, but the cause of the accident near a curve on Riverwood is otherwise unknown.
PHOTO GALLERY | MEMORIAL HONORS 15-YEAR-OLD KILLED IN CRASH:
At 5:50 a.m. his mother reported him and the car missing, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Steve Morris said.
She soon learned the bad news.
Morris said no one else was injured in the crash, and the investigation will take some time.
Classmates are in mourning, and out of respect, Greenbrier canceled all athletic events for Thursday afternoon.
Journey Community Church, where Gordon was active, planned a time of prayer Thursday night.
And on Friday morning, students plan to gather at the school flagpole for prayer, as well.
At the base of a tree where the crash happened, friends had started leaving mementos, including colorful flowers, stickers and notes, by Thursday afternoon.
His classmates said he was a wrestler and a football player with a pure soul who was lively, funny and always surrounded by his friends.
People never saw him without a smile.
At Greenbrier on Thursday, the halls were silent.
Students said one of his teachers moved his desk so no one would sit in it.
Several schools in the Columbia County School District have offered condolences after the teen’s death:
- Riverside Middle School: “Our hearts and thoughts are with the students, friends, faculty, staff and families of Greenbrier High School.”
- Harlem High School: “Please us in keeping our friends and families at Greenbrier High School in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
- Greenbrier Middle School: “Our hearts are broken for one of our sister schools today. We will continue to send love and prayers to Greenbrier High School.”
- Evans High School: “Our rivalry is fun, but we are family. Greenbrier High School, our hearts are broken and we grieve with you.”
- Augusta Christian Schools: “Augusta Christian Schools offers its deepest condolences to the family of Gordon Carmichael and the entire Greenbrier High School community. Please us in praying for the family and Greenbrier.”
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