UPDATED TO INCLUDE SERVICE TIMES

 

The Highland Home School community is mourning the loss of one of its own today.

HHS junior and student athlete Drew Bradley, 16, died as a result of a car crash.

Alabama State Troopers Spokesperson Sgt. Steve Jarrett said the wreck happened around 5:50 p.m. Saturday on County Road 59 in Highland Home.

State Troopers say the 1995 Toyota she was driving overturned, and Bradley was ejected from the vehicle.

Jarrett said speed was a factor and Bradley was not wearing a seat belt.

“The driver was airlifted to Baptist South in Montgomery,” he said.

Jarrett confirmed that Bradley passed away Sunday morning at 8:30, after surgery.

Crenshaw County Superintendent Randy Wilkes said the system was saddened by the loss of Bradley.

“Drew was an exceptional student-athlete,” he said. “Her good nature, kindness and humor were just a few of her many admirable qualities. She will be deeply missed.

“On behalf of the Crenshaw Board of Education, I would like to extend our sincerest condolences to the Bradley family,” Wilkes said. “We will keep them, the school, and community in our prayers and thoughts.”

“The HHS family is very saddened by the loss of one of our own,” according to a statement released on the school’s Facebook page. “Drew Bradley, an 11^th grader passed away this morning as a result of a car crash. We are all in prayer for the Bradley family. We will post more information about the arrangements as we learn them. We ask that you all pray for comfort for her parents and siblings. May God be with them.”

Bradley played volleyball and softball for the Flying Squadron.

Members of the Highland Home family gathered at noon on Sunday to pray for the Bradley and HHS families.

An assembly will be held Monday at 8 a.m. for students in grades seven through 12 in the gymnasium, Wilkes confirmed. Counselors will be on hand for students. It is not open to the public.

A public memorial will be held Saturday, Nov. 2., at 2 p.m., at the New Testament Christian Center on Highway 80 East in Montgomery next to Buckmasters.

A Monday morning post from HHS thanked supporters for their “outpouring of sincere compassion for the Bradley family, our school and our community.”

“It is so heartwarming to be a part of such a close group of people,” the post read. “We would like to you to know that a fund has been set up to help the family of Drew.”

An account has been set up at First Citizens Bank in Highland Home. Those who wish to make a donation, can do so under the Drew Bradley Memorial Fund.

Alabama State Troopers continue to investigate the accident, and the Journal will update when more information becomes available.