Monday was a difficult day for West Lincoln Attendance Center.

The death of two students and two friends left a cloud over the halls and hearts of students. Faith White, 15, Kaylee R. McCord, 16, Curtis Gunnell, 17, and Nicholas King, 19, died Friday in a late-night car accident that left six others injured.

 

West Lincoln Counselor Margaret Gee said Monday was a rough day for students. She said the school provided counseling throughout day for anyone who needed it.

Gee said students are collecting money for flowers and will be attending the visitation as a class.

“Curtis is a nice guy to hang out with. We’d just ride around town on the weekends,” said Matthew Elkins, a student at West Lincoln. “Kaylee was a nice person to talk to. We’d see each other in the hallway and we’d give each other high fives. You could go talk to her about anything.”

West Lincoln principal Jason Case said the two young women who attended school were great students and sweet girls, and their presence will be greatly missed at school.

Gee said no plans have been made for any events, students are just trying to get through this week of funerals.

Funerals have been set for the four victims. McCord’s visitation was Monday at Riverwood Funeral Home and her funeral is Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. at Riverwood. Gunnell’s visitation is Tuesday 5 to 8 p.m. at Riverwood, and his funeral is Wednesday at 1 p.m. at New Prospect Baptist Church. King’s visitation is Wednesday 5 to 9 p.m. at Riverwood, and his funeral is 11 a.m. at Riverwood. White’s visitation is Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Riverwood, and her funeral is Friday at 10 a.m. at Friendship Baptist Church.

 

White was a student at West Lincoln and was the daughter of Jesse White and Melissa McKenzie. McCord was a student at West Lincoln and was the daughter of Shane McCord and Dale Williams. Gunnell was a Lincoln County resident and was the son of Carlos Gunnell Jr. and Brenda Wooten. King was a Lincoln County resident and son of Derek and Michelle King.

The car accident also left six injured. Donald Dickerson, 40, Shawn Williams, 23, Aireona Allison, 23, Ricky Williams, 22, Linza Black, 18, and Dustin Hall, 17, were taken to hospitals immediately following the incident.

Brandon Fortenberry, Mississippi Highway Patrol spokesperson, said as of Monday Allison, Dickerson and Hall are in critical condition at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.

The accident occurred at the intersection of Watts Lane and U.S. Highway 84. A 2005 Dodge Stratus traveling south on Watts Lane attempted to cross 84 and was struck by a 1994 Chevrolet pick-up traveling east on 84.

Fortenberry said the Chevrolet was driven by Dickerson and contained Shawn Williams and Alison. The Dodge was driven by Hall and contained King, White, Gunnell, McCord, Rickey Williams and Black said Fortenberry.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation.