2 boys killed, 2 injured in road accidents in Sumter County

SUMTER, SC (WIS) – Two children were struck and killed by pickup trucks Sunday morning, officials said.

One of the teenagers died at the scene, the other died on Tuesday morning in a local hospital.

Two pedestrians – 12-year-old Basir Wells and 15-year-old Marvin Butler – were hit by two different trucks. The 12-year-old’s aunt said the boys were friends.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol said the crash happened around 6 a.m. on Britton Road near Excitement Lane, in a rural part of the county north of Brodgon.

Baker said two other pedestrians who were with the boys at the time of the crash were also injured.

“Kids need to realize that what they see on TV is TV,” Baker said. “This is real life and these things happen, and once death comes, there is no going back.”

In a news release, police said Butler, a Crestwood High School student, was struck and killed on Britton Road by a westbound Dodge pickup truck. His The coroner’s office confirmed the death on Sunday.

Troopers said Wells was struck by a 2020 GMC Sierra traveling east on Britton Road.

Wells, a student at Chestnut Oaks Middle School, was taken to Prisma Health Richland for injuries sustained in the crash. He died on Tuesday, the coroner’s office said.

“It was a dark road in the county,” Baker said. “It was just around the corner from the bend, six in the morning… it’s dark.”

It is unclear what the group of children were doing before the crash.

Officers said no charges have been filed and the case is still under investigation.

The coroner’s office said an autopsy will be held for Wells on Friday at the University of Charleston School of Medicine. Butler’s autopsy is scheduled for next week.

Baker said an autopsy will determine whether the children were standing, lying or walking along the road when they were hit.

Baker said this is the fifth death of a minor in Sumter County since July 3 – three homicides and now two accidents. Baker is urging parents in the county to be aware of where their children are and what they are doing, especially on social media.

“Be their parent, not their best friend,” Baker said. “Don’t be afraid to step on your children’s toes and tell them what they must and shouldn’t do, what they should and shouldn’t do, because if you don’t, unfortunately, bad situations will happen and tragic situations will happen.”

SCHP’s multidisciplinary fatal accident reconstruction team spent many hours at the scene marking the road and will continue to investigate what happened.

Sumter school district officials said students affected by the two deaths will be able to receive additional counseling.

“The Sumter School District mourns the loss of a Crestwood High School student and a Chestnut Oaks High School student. Our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy go to their families at this very difficult time.

“The loss of a classmate can be very difficult, and the Sumter School District is very sensitive to the emotional needs of our students. The district’s crisis support team and school counselors are available to assist any Crestwood High and Chestnut Oaks Middle student or staff member who may need help coping with this tragic loss.”

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