Valleytown – A local teenager tragically died early Sunday morning following a single-vehicle crash.
“We know excessive speed played a factor in it, but anytime you have a death – especially with a teenager – you want to [do all you can to find answers] because you’ve got the community and mom and dad who wants to know,” N.C. Highway Patrol Trooper Murico Stephens said. “That’s what our guys will be doing the next couple of days, just diving into [the investigation] to check everything off.”
Connor Devin Pressley, 16, of Andrews, died after being ejected from a vehicle crashed into a utility pole around 12:40 a.m. Sunday. Active in several sports from a young age, Pressley participated on the football, basketball, baseball and track teams for Andrews High School at the time of his death.
“Wow. Very sad night!” Matthew Maennle wrote on Facebook after news spread throughout the community. “This was tough getting this news that you had lost one of your own. A player who I have got to coach since I started my time at Andrews. A player who had improved so much in his skills, and also becoming a young man!
“I loved being around Connor! An extremely hard worker, and someone you loved to have on your team and someone who had become an awesome teammate! Someone who would bring joy to the locker rooms and practices every time he was there! Fly high, big man, I love you and will miss you!”
Authorities say Gerald Edwards III, 21, of Andrews, was speeding eastbound on State Road 1428 when he lost control of his vehicle, traveled off the road and crashed into a pole. The vehicle then overturned and ejected Pressley, one of the three juvenile passengers. Edwards and the other two passengers were taken to Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital in Peachtree for treatment.
The investigation is ongoing. No charges had been filed against Edwards as of the Cherokee Scout’s press time Tuesday morning.
Local teenager dies in wreck
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