Grief counselors at high school after death of Gwinnett freshman

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By Kristi E. Swartz and Ty Tagami

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Grief counselors spent the day at Lanier High School Wednesday to help students cope with the loss of one of their own.

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Johnathan Campbell, 15, a freshman at Lanier High, was killed in a car crash near Buford that morning.

Counselors from all over Gwinnett County were at Lanier High to help any students showing need of additional support, said Jorge Quintana, a spokesman for the county school district. Administrators also met with Campbell's teachers to talk to them about the incident, he said.

Some counselors may remain at the school Thursday, he said.

At about 7 a.m., a Chrysler 300 was heading south on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard when it turned left onto First Avenue. A northbound Jeep Grand Cherokee struck the passenger side of the Chrysler as it turned, police said. Campbell, of Buford, was riding in the Chrysler.

Both drivers were taken to Gwinnett Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

Rebecca L. Campbell, 17, of Buford, was driving the Chrysler. After the collision, her vehicle bumped into two cars waiting at a stop sign in the intersection, causing minor damage to both vehicles but no injuries to the occupants. The passenger who died was her brother, according to Channel 2 Action News.

Jhony C. Velasquez, 34, of Duluth, was driving the Jeep. He was charged with driving without a driver's license.

Police said neither driver appeared to be speeding or under the influence of alcohol but that the investigation was ongoing. Police noted that it was raining during the crash, but they did not say whether that was a contributing factor.