Breaking News: Two FCHS Students Killed in Afternoon Wreck, Third Injured

Two Franklin County High School seniors were killed this afternoon in a tragic accident near Canon.

According to Georgia State Patrol Hartwell Post Commander Sgt. Al Whitworth, it happened about 1:45p on Jackson Bridge Road.

The vehicle was traveling west on Jackson Bridge Road when the driver hit a curve and lost control,” Whitworth said late Wednesday afternoon. “The vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway, traveled down an embankment and hit a tree. Two of the occupants were pronounced dead at the scene.”

Whitworth said the victims are identified as 17-year old Timothy Hartman of Canon, 17-year old Maleke Moon of Canon. Both were seniors at FCHS.

The driver is identified as 18-year old Samuel Parten of Canon.  Parten is also a senior at Franklin County High School.  Parten was injured and taken to Athens Regional Medical Center. No word on the extent of his injuries.

“The GSP Hartwell Post and the Special Accident Reconstruction Investigation Team will continue to investigate the cause of the accident and charges are pending,” Whitworth said.

Meantime, this afternoon, students at the school formed prayer groups after learning of the accident.

Franklin County School Superintendent tells WLHR News counselors will be on hand at the high school in the morning for any students who  may need to talk or receive counseling.

“The counselors and other student support personnel will be available to all students at the high school throughout the day. The prayers and thoughts of the entire Franklin County School system are with the parents of these students,” O’Dell said.