Two teens die in car accident

Two Evans High School students were killed in a car accident Sunday morning.

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Brad Thornton, 17, of Evans, and Keith Kroggman, 16, of Martinez, were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident off William Few Parkway at 12:45 a.m., said Vernon Collins, a deputy Columbia County coroner.

Mr. Collins said the Ford Thunderbird in which the teens were passengers lost control and slid into a grassy knoll, then hit trees and caught on fire.

The driver of the vehicle, Jennifer L. McElmurray, 16, of Evans, was treated at Medical College of Georgia Hospital and released, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Brad's mother, Kris Thornton, said many concerned friends had visited her family Sunday and had been to the site to place flowers and other tributes.

"It makes it hit home," Mrs. Thornton said. "You worry about your kids, but you don't ever think it's going to happen to you."

Similar sentiments were expressed by Keith's grandfather Howard Hammond.

"Until you go through something like this, you really don't have a clue what it's like," he said.

Brad and Keith were friends for nearly 11 years, Mrs. Thornton said.

Keith's life focused on the JROTC program at Evans High School, Mr. Hammond said.

"His biggest love was ROTC," Mr. Hammond said. "They're something wonderful."

He said members of the ROTC program had visited his house and had presented flowers to the family Sunday.

Keith had planned to join the Army after graduation, Mr. Hammond said.

Brad, a rising senior linebacker for the Evans High School football team, was a massive but kind player, said football coach Marty Jackson.

"He could hit the heck out of you on the offensive line," Mr. Jackson said.

Reach Jeremy Craig at (706) 823-3409.

--From the Monday, June 9, 2003 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle