Newberry High School junior killed by train
A Newberry High School junior was killed Saturday after being struck by a train, The State reported.
Charmone A. McGraw, 16, was walking south on railroad tracks near Cline Street in Newberry when he was struck by a train traveling north. Newberry County Coroner Craig Newton said McGraw was suspected to have been listening to music on his cell phone and was unable to hear the oncoming train.
The train was not traveling fast and only had two cars, Newton said. However, that was enough to kill McGraw instantly of blunt force trauma.
People are not supposed to walk on train tracks because they are owned by railroad companies, technically making them private property, Newton said. He cautioned people who may find themselves on the railroad tracks to be attentive and aware of their surroundings.
McGraw was a junior varsity football player at Newberry High School last year.
College of Charleston student dies in wreck
One College of Charleston student has died and another has been arrested after a Friday afternoon car crash, the Sumter Item reported.
Franklin Barker West, 18, died from blunt-force trauma and internal bleeding injuries he sustained in the accident. The student, originally from Alexandria, Va., was a passenger in Henry Sims Farr’s 2001 Land Rover SUV, the S.C. Highway Patrol told the Item.
Farr was charged with driving under the influence, possessing marijuana and possessing a controlled substance after his Land Rover ran off the left side of I-95 near the 106 mile marker and overturned after hitting a tree.
Three other passengers were injured. One was transported to Clarendon Memorial Hospital and the other two were airlifted to Palmetto Health Richland. Their statuses were not known by Clarendon County Deputy Coroner Charles Jackson late Saturday afternoon, The Item reported.
West Ashley teacher accused of bullying
The Charleston County School District is facing a lawsuit alleging a math teacher at West Ashley High School called a student gay in front of his class, WCSC reported. The lawsuit also claims this incident led to the student attempting suicide.
The teacher began to bully the student in early April, according to the lawsuit. The student has “suffered severe emotional and psychological damage” from the bullying and withdrew from school. He eventually attempted to hang himself.
The teacher has called the student “gay” and “gay boy” among other names in front of the student’s peers and encouraged the other students to join in on the bullying, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit was filed Aug. 30 and accuses the school of being “grossly negligent” in its failure to supervise the teacher properly and prevent the behavior from happening. The teacher is still employed by the district.