The Aiken County Coroner's Office is investigating a two-car accident that claimed the life of a Graniteville teenager. The driver has been identified as 16-year-old Tayron Kirkland, a basketball player at Midland Valley High School. The accident occurred on Wednesday at approximately 4:06 p.m. in the 2000 block of Jefferson Davis Highway. Kirkland was driving a 2013 Honda Accord headed east on Jefferson Davis Highway and attempting to change lanes when the Honda collided with the rear of another vehicle traveling in the same direction. The Honda overturned, and Kirkland was ejected from the vehicle. According to the coroner, Kirkland was not wearing a seatbelt. He was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead on Thursday morning due to injuries sustained in the accident.
In a Facebook post, the family says Tayron was full of life and that life will forever be different for them, while friends describe how affected they are by the loss of someone so close to them. His mother, Teena Tenille, asked in a Facebook post for people to pray for the family.
"Those who knew my great baby know he was full of life," she wrote. "I am suffering a lot today, and I know life will be forever different for us."
Former Midland Valley boys' basketball team coach Henri Perry is among those mourning Kirkland.
"I'm going to miss Tayron a lot," Perry said. "I remember his freshman year, seeing him play basketball in physical education class and asking him to come try out for our team. I will never forget the excitement on his face! I just thank God for allowing me to be part of Tayron's journey. He will be forever in our hearts and will forever be a Mustang."
The Aiken County Coroner's Office and the Burnettown Police Department continue with the investigation, and toxicology analysis is pending.
Originally posted at Liga Legal®
