Wreck claims the lives of two Eastern Randolph students

RAMSEUR — Two Eastern Randolph High School students died and two more were injured following a single-vehicle accident Thursday in Ramseur. 

The accident occurred at about 6:30 p.m. on Kildee Church Road near the intersection of Park Crossroads Church Road.

The Infiniti vehicle was traveling west on Kildee Church Road when it reportedly drifted off the road to the right. The vehicle re-entered the roadway, then back off the roadway to the right where it hit a tree, according to an NC Highway Patrol report. 

Mario Lara, 15, of Ramseur died at the scene. The driver, Tyler George Franklin, 17, of Ramseur, was airlifted to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem where he died from his injuries. Two female passengers were seriously injured.  

Franklin is the son of Randolph County Economic Development Corp. president Kevin Franklin.

Fred Smith, chair of the EDC board, released a statement, which read in part: “This tragic event touches so many of our friends, students, and the faculty of Eastern Randolph High School as well as our community at large. Our business community was especially saddened to learn that the son of Kevin Franklin, President of the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation was among those in the accident. On behalf of the RCEDC Board, staff and associates, our thoughts and prayers for healing and comfort go out to those families involved.”

Tyler Franklin’s brother Ethan started a GoFundMe account for funeral expenses that by mid-afternoon Sunday had collected 275 donations for nearly three-quarters of the $20,000 sought. 

The Randolph County School System also released a statement praising all the students involved and offering support and additional counselor services through this week for students and staff members as needed.