COVINGTON, Tenn. — Covington High School is set to hold a virtual graduation Monday just a day after a deadly accident killed a graduate of the school and sent a current student and another graduate to the hospital.
The crash happened early Sunday morning just outside of Dyersburg. Dyersburg police say a car driven by Jeremy Grant, 19, crashed after speeding away from an officer. Authorities say the car flipped into a culvert.
Grant survived, but a 16-year-old Covington High School junior and 21-year-old Covington graduate Tyrone Smith were sent to the Regional Medical Center in Memphis in critical condition.
Officials say 22-year-old Covington graduate Te’veon Davis died at the scene.
“I’m praying for the families,” Betty Carraway said. “That’s heartbreaking for them. That’s all I know.”
Tipton County Superintendent John Combs released a statement to WREG saying:
The Tipton County Schools family was so very sorry to hear about yesterday’s accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family members
Superintendent John Combs, Tipton County Schools
Combs confirmed Smith was a former running back for the school’s football team.
“It’s a touchy situation,” said Laura Trevathan, who lives near the crash. “The family, I’m sure, is devastated. They’re the ones left to deal with all this.”
A relative told WREG that Smith’s mother would rather not comment and that Smith was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
She said both he and the 16-year-old worked at Walmart, which honored them Monday with a post on its Facebook page.
Grant was charged with felony evading, but the Tennessee Highway Patrol said more charges may be coming.
