CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- One Mingo County teen-ager died and another was injured Tuesday morning when their car rolled over on the way to school.
The accident occurred at about 6:30 a.m. near Horse Pen Mountain along U.S. 52 in Gilbert, said Chief Deputy James Smith of the Mingo County Sheriff's Department.
The two teens were on their way to Mingo Central Comprehensive High School, where they are both seniors.
Smith declined to identify the teens but said the 17-year-old driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Paramedics rushed the passenger, also 17, to Cabell Huntington Hospital. He was expected to recover from his injuries, Smith said.
No other vehicles were involved and the accident remains under investigation.
Mingo Central Principal Deborah Harris identified the driver as Tyler Hatfield and the passenger as Cody Carter, both of Gilbert.
Harris said grief counselors were at the school Tuesday to help students. The school's welding instructor is a pastor and also provided religious guidance to those who requested it, she said.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- One Mingo County teen-ager died and another was injured Tuesday morning when their car rolled over on the way to school.
The accident occurred at about 6:30 a.m. near Horse Pen Mountain along U.S. 52 in Gilbert, said Chief Deputy James Smith of the Mingo County Sheriff's Department.
The two teens were on their way to Mingo Central Comprehensive High School, where they are both seniors.
Smith declined to identify the teens but said the 17-year-old driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Paramedics rushed the passenger, also 17, to Cabell Huntington Hospital. He was expected to recover from his injuries, Smith said.
No other vehicles were involved and the accident remains under investigation.
Mingo Central Principal Deborah Harris identified the driver as Tyler Hatfield and the passenger as Cody Carter, both of Gilbert.
Harris said grief counselors were at the school Tuesday to help students. The school's welding instructor is a pastor and also provided religious guidance to those who requested it, she said.
"Even though he [Hatfield] came from a different area and hasn't known these kids for long, everyone came together today for him," she said. "Everyone is just devastated."
The school opened in August, a product of the consolidation of Delbarton, Gilbert, Matewan and Williamson high schools.
"No matter where they were from, they are torn up about this," she said.
Harris said Tuesday's sporting events were canceled. Students are planning a candlelight vigil sometime this week.
"We mourn his death, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family," Harris said.
Reach Travis Crum at travis.c...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5163.
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