Kolby Crum, one of seven Moore runners struck by a pickup, has died of his injuries – Oklahoman.com
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MOORE — Kolby Crum fought an uphill battle to survive. The Moore High School senior, one of seven students struck by a speeding pickup, suffered a head injury and was dependent on a ventilator.
Saturday morning, the 18-year-old distance runner lost his fight to live.
“It is with immeasurable grief and sorrow that we share that Kolby left his earthly home to finish his race in heaven this morning,” Crum’s family said in a Facebook post.
“He impacted the lives around him in positive ways every day. He is so loved by so many and will be deeply missed. Please pray for peace that surpasses all understanding for his family and friends as they grieve the tremendous and devastating loss of this precious young man. Please pray on.”
Moore Public Schools Superintendent Robert Romines said Kolby left behind a legacy of “kindness, strength and inspiration.”
“Throughout this tragedy, our students and staff in Moore Public Schools have united even more so to support our Lions family and each other,” Romines said in a statement. “It has been a testament of who we are here — a family. The compassion and support have extended beyond our district and state borders and these acts of love and solidarity have been truly appreciated.
“Our students and staff are hurting, and we will continue to support and help them in any way possible. Please know, each of you are loved and appreciated.”
The pickup driver, Max Leroy Townsend, is charged with manslaughter in the deaths of senior Rachel Freeman, 17, and sophomore Yuridia Martinez, 16. He could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted.
Townsend, 57, of Tuttle, is accused of drunken driving when his red Ford pickup struck seven student athletes on a sidewalk about 3:30 p.m. Feb. 3. Toxicology reports are pending, according to Moore police.Townsend faces 13 felony counts in all — the most serious being two counts of first-degree manslaughter. Cleveland County District Attorney Greg Mashburn told The Oklahoman he intends to amend the charge against Townsend to include a third manslaughter count.
Mashburn said Townsend was intoxicated and traveling an estimated 65 to 70 mph when he struck the students — cross-country and track athletes out for an afternoon run.The posted speed limit is 25 mph.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and we will do all we can to hold this defendant accountable,” Mashburn said.
Freeman died at the scene. Martinez died the next day. Crum also suffered a collapsed lung and broken bones. His condition had worsened in recent days, his family said.Also injured were Shiloh Hutchinson, 16, a junior; Joseph White, 17, a senior; Ashton Baza, 16, a sophomore; and Chance Marlett, 17, a senior.
Police reported in a court affidavit the driver “did not appear to apply any brakes or slow the vehicle” prior to striking the seven students on the sidewalk with the front of his pickup. Police reported the driver left the scene without stopping “in an apparent effort to avoid detection.”Townsend was arrested after his pickup struck a car in a driveway and came to a rest, according to the affidavit. Townsend “admitted to being the driver of the vehicle and drinking a beer before the accident,” police reported.
Townsend was stopped by some witnesses and held until the police got there, the district attorney said.
Tim Willert
Tim Willert is a native Californian with Oklahoma ties who covers K-12 education, including Oklahoma City Public Schools and the state Education Department. Before that he covered district, federal and appellate courts in Oklahoma County. Prior… Read more ›
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