Randy Garrison

Hartselle Enquirer

For the third Monday in a row Morgan County students went to school knowing they had lost friends over the weekend. Fifteen-year-old young ladies, Breanna Jackson and Brianna Lewis lost their lives this past weekend.

“We are saddened by the loss of any life but the loss of children is extremely difficult.  To watch the pain on our students faces three Monday’s in a row is something no one is prepared for.  We pray for comfort for the three families that lost children and the many friends and classmates they leave behind.” Morgan County Superintendent Bill Hopkins Jr, spoke these words about another tragic loss of life of students in the local school system.

According to a state troopers report, a two-vehicle crash occurred at 10:54 p.m. Sat., April 23, claimed the lives of two Hartselle teens. Brianna Lashay Lewis and Breanna Caitlin Jackson were killed when the motorized go-cart they were riding collided with a vehicle on Alabama Highway 36 a the 10 mile marker, one mile west of Danville.

Matthew Ryan Hood of Huntsville drove the 2005 Acura RSX

that struck the go-cart. Lewis, who was driving, was pronounced dead at the scene. Jackson was airlifted to Huntsville Hospital and died of her injuries at 12:53 a.m. Sunday. Hood was not injured in the collision. Alabama state troopers continue to investigate the fatality.

According to Danville High School principal, Marty Chambers, Lewis was a tenth grader at DHS. He described her as a quiet, reserved young lady, who was very liked by the other students at the school. She was a great kid and a student who caused no discipline problems and made good grades. “She was the type of student you loved having in the student body,” Chambers said.

She loved talking to her friends and loved riding go-carts and 4-wheelers. She loved the outdoors and mud riding.

Chambers said DHS had several counselors from all over the county today. Counselors from Hospice, other county schools and one from Decatur City were on hand today. The school day started with an assembly to tell the students what had happened, and to let them know the counselors were available to them.

The counselors were in the school library and students were welcomed to talk to them and take as much time as they needed.

Chambers shared with his students that they were there not answer why this had happened but to help all of them get through this happening. He mentioned that humans mourn differently and they wanted to give them the opportunity to help them get through the process.

Danville Middle School principal, Kelly Tanner, also described Lewis as a very quiet, sweet and respectful young lady. She was very loved and this was a tragic accident that will change everyone. The community is just heart broken.

DHS softball coach Savannah Chenault had a call from one of her softball players asking if she and others could decorate Brianna’s locker. Lewis could be found many times at the softball games. Many students signed the locker and had a prayer time at the school, Sunday evening at 5:30 p.m.

“What a vibrant personality, I never saw her without a smile,” said Hartselle Junior High School principal Dr. Robbie Smith. I can still see the freckles on her nose when she smiled. She was never an ounce of trouble; she was a bright kid and made you feel better when you were around her.

Smith described Jackson as a country girl, who liked mud riding and bonfires. But when she put on an evening gown she looked as if she had stepped out of a fashion magazine. She was special, loved by many and had a strong friend group. Jackson was a member of the symphonic band at HJHS. She also loved children and babies.

Jackson was a ninth grader at Hartselle High School, according to principal Jeff Hyche. Her teachers at HHS described her as a sweet kid.  Hyche said she had signed up for the teacher academy for next year, for an infant and toddler class.

Hyche also mentioned a student led candlelight vigil is planned for Thur., night April 28, at Sparkman Park. The event will begin at 8:30 p.m. Schools from Danville, Priceville and Hartselle will gather for the event with help from area youth ministers.

Peck Funeral Home is handling arrangements for both Jackson and Lewis. A joint visitation was held Monday evening at the funeral home, with individual funeral services held on Tuesday.

This weekend’s loss raises the number to six young people who have lost their lives in tragic accidents from this area since January. Dylan Allen, Jacob Lovell, Dakota Parker, Carmen Johnson and now Breanna Jackson and Brianna Lewis all leave behind friends and family who mourn their loss, at too young of an age.