A Portal Middle High School student, reportedly a couple of days short of his 17th birthday, died after being struck by a car Wednesday night while walking along the side of Georgia Highway 26, which is also U.S. Highway 80, near its intersection with Portal’s North Grady Street.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss experienced by the Portal Community today, and we stand with them in this time of grief,” began a statement the Bulloch County Schools issued later Thursday. “We ask that you keep everyone affected in your thoughts and prayers.” The complete statement may be read at the end of this report.
The Georgia State Patrol received a call that the “vehicle versus pedestrian” accident had occurred about 9:44 p.m. Wednesday, according to preliminary information summarized by GSP Post 45, Statesboro, Secretary Ginger Robbins.
“Preliminary investigation shows that a black sedan was traveling east on Georgia 26,” she said. “The pedestrian was walking east on Georgia 26 in the eastbound lane.”
The pedestrian, whose age, gender or name were not given in the State Patrol’s preliminary information available to news media, “was walking on the side of the fog line, partially in the eastbound lane,” Robbins summarized. “The front of the sedan struck the pedestrian.”
The pedestrian was male and 16 years old but would have been 17 in a couple of days, according to Bulloch County Coroner Richard Pylant, who said he could not release the name because the accident victim was under age 18.
The State Patrol’s preliminary information stated that the teenager was transported by ambulance, apparently a Bulloch County Emergency Medical Service ambulance, to East Georgia Regional Medical Center in Statesboro with serious injuries, and then flown to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, where he later died. Plyant received the time of death as 12:45 a.m. Thursday.
The black sedan was a Honda Accord, also according to the State Patrol’s preliminary information.
Pylant said the young man was apparently leaving the basketball courts near the school and making his way home when struck by the car driven by a mother with two children with her.
“She tried to render aid to him,” the coroner said.
GSP Trooper First Class 2 Jamey Holloway was working on the investigation report.
The statement provided by Hayley Greene, public relations director for the Bulloch County Schools, also confirmed that the school district placed extra counselors and support staff at Portal Middle High on Thursday.
School district’s statement
“We are deeply saddened by the loss experienced by the Portal Community today, and we stand with them in this time of grief. We ask that you keep everyone affected in your thoughts and prayers.
“Our students, staff, and families sometimes face moments of profound sadness due to the loss of a loved one—a family member, friend, or classmate. This is one of those difficult times.
“At times like this, Bulloch County Schools supports students and staff as they navigate their grief. We place extra school counselors and support staff at the school to provide comfort and care. School administrators communicate directly with parents to offer additional support and guidance if there are concerns about how their child may be coping with a loss. Our school psychologists, social workers, and school climate coaches are also alerted to provide any further support.
“If you feel your family could benefit from additional resources, we are here to help connect you with external counseling services. Together, as a community, we will support each other through this challenging time.”