The day after a crash in Cherokee County killed a 17-year-old high school student and injured three others, authorities identified the teenagers involved and said charges may be pending against the driver.
The single-car crash killed front-seat passenger Stephen Smith of Canton, a senior at Creekview High School and a member of the track and field team.
The driver of the car, identified Wednesday as 17-year-old Fred Engamba, was taken to the hospital and released.
Jay Baker, a spokesman for the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, said “charges are likely” in the case, but “investigators will wait until they complete their investigation and until toxicology results return before determining what charges to file.”
Baker said investigators obtained a search warrant for Engamba’s blood sample.
Back-seat passenger Chase Burr, 17, remained at WellStar Kennestone Hospital on Wednesday with serious injuries. A 15-year-old passenger was taken to the hospital and released.
The three injured were also Creekview students, a school district spokeswoman said.
Baker said Tuesday that the teens were driving on Old Orange Mill Road about 2 p.m. when the vehicle lost control down an embankment and hit a tree. Investigators said speed may have been a factor in the crash.
“It’s unbelievable, because we were just getting out of school and I had seen him the day before,” Creekview student Daniel Jarrett told Channel 2 Action News. “Everyone is trying to figure out what happened, mostly.”
The school’s track and field team remembered Smith on their Facebook page.
“Rest easy, Stevie,” the team wrote. “We will miss your amazing smile, sweet spirit, and bouncing steps!”
GoFundMe pages were created for Smith's and Burr's families.
The team provided updates on Burr, who is also a member of the track and field team, according to the squad’s website.
"Chase is in pretty good spirits considering the situation," a post stated Wednesday morning. "It is now a waiting game for the bruising and swelling to go down. Your continued prayers are much appreciated by the family."
They said Burr suffered lacerations, a broken wrist and bruised lungs.
A letter sent to parents from Creekview Principal Mark Merges and shared with AJC.com said Smith was “an energetic student who was known as a friend to all.”
“He always came to class in a good mood with a smile on his face,” Merges said. “He was always willing to help out classmates and loved track and field, especially the jumping events.”
School officials said counselors would be available at the school to help students.
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