The deaths of four teenagers in a horrific crash Monday are having far-reaching impact across South Fulton County.
Investigators said Isaiah Gregory, 15, Cameron Jones, 16, Ke'Ariy Lopez 14, and Octavious Rhodes, 16, died in the crash. A fifth teen, Lexus Todd, remains hospitalized at Grady Memorial Hospital.
Four of the students were freshmen at Langston Hughes High School. Cameron Jones transferred to the school as a freshman several months ago, but recently withdrew.
Students there said Tuesday was a hard day for many. The teens were described as fun-loving, friendly and uplifting. News of the deaths sucked the life out of the school, some students said.
“You couldn’t hear … anything, in the cafeteria or anywhere. It was so quiet,” said junior Darius Moon.
It was a tough day for Lassiter High School in Cobb County as well. Two brothers there also died in an afternoon car crash.
Grief counselors were dispatched to both schools the day after the crash to help students process their grief.
At Langston Hughes High School, Georgia Milestones testing has been moved to next week for freshman who were scheduled to take the exams.
Isabel Ramirez said her daughter described Ke’Ariy Lopez as a nice guy who got along with everyone. Kristin Hemingway said she met Octavious Rhodes several years ago when he was a student at Crawford Long Middle School, where she works as a mentor through a community partnership. She remembers an intelligent kid with a mischievous streak and an endearing smile who kept people around him laughing.
"He was such a goofball," she said, reflecting. "You want to believe that everybody gets a chance to grow up. And that's not true."
Kayla Bennings, a teacher at nearby Wolf Creek Elementary School, said some students there were unable to complete Georgia Milestones testing because of their grief. At least three students there were related to one of the victims, she said.
“This has been a very tough pill for the community to swallow,” she said. “Death is not easy, but to see four beautiful souls go so young is even more heartbreaking.”
A crowd-funding campaign was started to help Isaiah Gregory’s family with funeral costs.
Funeral arrangements have been made for the Cobb County brothers Jim and Joe Pratt.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution will continue to publish information about other services as they are announced.
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