Pick-up trucks struck and killed two toddlers on Sunday morning, according to officials. One of the boys was pronounced dead on the scene, while the other died on Tuesday morning at a nearby hospital.
Two trucks struck two people, Basir Wells (12) and Marvin Butler (15). The 12-year-old’s aunt described the two boys as pals.
According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the incident occurred around 6 a.m. on Britton Road near Excitement Lane, in a rural area of the county north of Brodgon.
Baker stated that two other pedestrians who were with the boys at the time of the incident were also hurt.
“What kids need to realize is what these kids see on TV is TV,” according to Baker. “This is real life, and stuff that is going on, and when death occurs, there is no turning back.”
Butler, a Crestwood High School student, was killed on Britton Road by a Dodge pickup vehicle traveling west, officials stated in a press release. The coroner’s office verified his death on Sunday. According to troopers, Wells was hit by a 2020 GMC Sierra going east on Britton Road.
Wells, a Chestnut Oaks Middle School student, was brought to Prisma Health Richland for injuries sustained in the incident. The coroner’s office confirmed that he died on Tuesday.
“It was a dark road, out in the country,” Baker explained. “It was right around the corner from a curve, 6 a.m… it’s dark.”
It’s unclear what the children were doing before the incident. Troopers stated no charges have been filed, and the situation is still being investigated.
The coroner’s office announced that Wells’ autopsy will be performed on Friday at Medical University in Charleston. Butler’s autopsy is planned for next week.
Baker said the autopsy would reveal whether the youngsters were standing, lying, or walking down the road when they were struck.
Baker said this is the seventh juvenile death in Sumter County since July 3, with three killings and two accidents. Baker encourages parents in the county to be aware of where their children are and what they are doing, particularly on social media.
“Be a parent, not their best friend,” Baker advised. Don’t be afraid to step on kids’ toes and tell them what they need to do and what they shouldn’t do, what they should and what they shouldn’t because if you don’t, unfortunately, bad situations and tragic situations will happen.”
SCHP’s multidisciplinary action team, which reconstructs fatal crashes, spent hours marking the road and will continue to investigate what happened.
Sumter School District officials announced that pupils affected by the two fatalities will get additional counseling.