Treutlen and Toombs Mourn Loss of Students

mrandolphadvance@gmail.com

Treutlen and Toombs County Schools are mourning the loss of two students who were tragically killed in car accidents recently.

On Sunday, May 3, Treutlen County High School Student Aliah Michelle Smith was killed when her family’s vehicle was hit head-on by another car.

At around 11:50 p.m. on May continued from page

3, Chelsea Elizabeth Wilson, 35, of Soperton, was driving southbound with her daughter – Treutlen County High School Student Aliah Michelle Smith – and two other children on Georgia State Route 29 near the road’s intersection with J.W. Warren Road when Damarcus Tyrell Wimbush, 29, of Millen – who was driving northbound along the same road – failed to maintain his lane and hit Wilson’s vehicle head-on.

Georgia State Patrol Troopers and first responders arrived at the scene within less than five minutes, and rushed Wilson and Smith to Fairview Park Hospital in Dublin with serious injuries; the mother and daughter succumbed to their injuries soon after arrival. The other two children in the car were also transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Wimbrush was pronounced dead on the scene.

On Monday, May 4, Treutlen County Schools issued an official statement about the accident, which read, “We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic accident that occurred Sunday evening in East Dublin, which claimed the lives of members of our community, including one of our students. Our thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with the families, friends, and all those affected during this incredibly difficult time. The loss of a young life is something that touches our entire school community, and we grieve alongside you. We ask that everyone keep these families in your thoughts and respect their privacy in the days ahead.”

The district also had mental health counselors and school counselors available for students or staff who needed support. The memory of Aliah Michelle Smith was honored with a celebration of life on Tuesday morning, May 12.

One week later, on Sunday, May 10, 17-yearold Brody Hutto and 18-year-old Les Sturgis were riding dirt bikes along I.D. Galbreath Road in Toombs County, when their motorcycles collided. Toombs County deputies were dispatched to the scene, where they found both boys seriously injured.

The deputies began live saving procedures to save the boys lives until first responders, paramedics, and EMTs could arrive . Sturgis was transported by ambulance to a nearby landing zone for Air Evac 91, then flown in critical condition to Savannah for further treatment.

Hutto succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on scene.

Toombs County Sheriff Jordan Kight requested the Georgia State Patrol’s aid in investigating the crash because it involved a death by motor vehicle. The investigation was soon turned over to the Georgia State Patrol Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team, who is continuing to probe the case.

“We ask that you keep the Hutto and Sturgis families in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate through this difficult time,” Kight emphasized.

On Monday, May 11, Toombs County High School issued a statement regarding the loss, which read, “Our hearts are deeply saddened as we mourn the tragic loss of one of our students, Brody Hutto. Please keep Brody's family and friends as well as our school in your thoughts and prayers during this trying time.”

Arrangements for Hutto’s celebration of life had not been announced at the time of press.

Brody Hutto