CMS student dies, 2 other local teens in ICU after I-40 crash

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools student died and two other local students are in the hospital after a crash in Asheville on Saturday.

16-year-old Sophie Gordon, of Charlotte, and Robert Fox, of Wilmette, Illinois, were killed, according to North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

Gordon was a junior at Myers Park High School, the school said on Sunday.

“We are deeply saddened to inform you that Sophie Gordon, a Junior at MPHS, was one of the passengers who died,” the statement read. “We are praying for Sophie’s family & friends during this very difficult time.”

Charlotte Catholic School posted on social media that two juniors, Abby Lyn Robinson and Isabella Tarantelli, are both in the ICU.

“They are good students,” principal Kurt Telford told Channel 9. “They are very involved and support everybody.”

Students need the community’s support, he said.

“It’s difficult times like this, we have to bond together and support each other,” Telford said.

NCSHP says the crash happened around 11:30 p.m. Saturday. Troopers say six teens were in a 2015 Volvo passenger car driving east on Interstate 40 when the driver attempted to take an exit. The car lost control on the ramp, ran off the left side of the road, and hit a tree.

In addition to the two students who were killed, two other teenagers were taken to a local hospital in critical condition. The driver and the sixth passenger were also taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Troopers say charges haven’t been filed at this time.

‘It’s terrible’

A Myers Park grandparent told Channel 9′s Eli Brand she doesn’t know how the community will move forward.

“It’s terrible. I don’t know how parents or grandparents or friends get over something like this. iIt’s just a terrible thing. It’s tragic,” said Sandra Kates.

Both schools returned from spring break on Monday.

Charlotte Catholic students organized a prayer service Sunday night to pray for the two CCHS juniors involved in the crash.

Myers Park had a crisis response team available on Monday for students who needed emotional support. Counselors were highly visible throughout the building as well.

Kurt Telford, the principal at Charlotte Catholic, said his students and staff are holding on to hope. He’s asking for prayers for the victims and their loved ones.

“They still are dealing with the shock of what’s happened and are going day-to-day right now,” he said.

A recent Myers Park graduate told Channel 9′s Erika Jackson that losing someone from her school hits close to home.

“She was just starting her life,” Melina Hilton said. “She probably had plans for college. I can’t imagine how her friends and family and their future is affected by this.”

This is a developing story; check wsoctv.com for updates.

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