William Taylor, a 16-year-old Charleston resident, died Thursday, Nov. 19, as a result of injuries he sustained when the SUV he was driving left the roadway and collided with a tree.
A front-seat passenger in the vehicle also was injured in the crash.
The accident occurred at approximately 12:10 p.m. on Mississippi 32, about two-tenths of a mile east of the highway’s intersection with Spring Hill Road.
The 1996 Ford Explorer was traveling westbound at the time of the incident, noted Sgt. Marvin N. Baird, public affairs officer for Troop E of the Mississippi Highway Patrol.
After leaving the roadway, the vehicle came to rest near the tree-lined boundary of a pasture on the south side of the highway.
The Charleston Fire Department’s rescue truck responded to the accident scene. Rescue workers used a hydraulic rescue tool to pry open the passenger’s door so that the passenger could be extricated from the vehicle.
A rescue board is prepared for transferring an accident victim from the ambulance at right to a waiting medevac helicopter on the grounds of Spring Hill Volunteer Fire Department on Nov. 19. The victim was ultimately transported by ambulance to Tallahatchie General Hospital. (Photo by Clay McFerrin)
First responders from Spring Hill Volunteer Fire Department were among other officials at the site. Baird said Friday that the cause of the crash is still under investigation by the Highway Patrol.
Visitation for Mr. Taylor is scheduled from 1-5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, with the funeral set for Saturday, Nov. 28 — further details to be announced, according to Community Funeral Directors & Cremations of Charleston, which is in charge of the arrangements.
