The Williamston, Pelzer and Piedmont communities were all touched by the loss of life from three fatal accidents in a three day period. Lacee Dial, 17, a Wren High senior, was fatally injured in a car accident Saturday morning. Kristina Paige Ellison, 20, of Williamston was fatally injured in an accident in Belton late Sunday and Brent Edwin Waddell, 37, was killed in a traffic accident Monday on the Hwy. 8 bridge over the Saluda River in Pelzer.
According to authorities, Waddell was on his way home to console his daughter whose dog had been struck and killed by a car. Waddell crossed the center line and struck a tractor trailer driven by Ricky Hubbard of Macon, Ga. The accident was about three miles from his home and closed the bridge from 4 p.m. till approximately 8 p.m.
Ellison was traveling north on Main Street in Belton when she lost control of her vehicle causing it to leave the roadway and overturn.
Dial was on her way to a veterinary clinic Saturday to fill out paperwork for an internship when the 1999 Toyota SUV she was driving left the road and rolled serveral times before striking a pole. The accident occured at approximately 11 a.m. Saturday on Elrod Road according to the SC Highway Patrol.
Anderson School District One had extra counselors at the school on Monday to support students and staff, Anderson School District One officials said.
“We are deeply saddened by the death of one of our Wren High School students. Our thoughts and prayers are with the parents and particularly with her brother, Josh Dial, sophomore at Powdersville High,” said Dr. Wayne Fowler, Superintendent of Anderson One.
Wren High School Principal, Nichole Boseman, said, “It is with deep sadness that we mourn the loss of one of our very own, Lacee Dial. Lacee was a special young lady who will be greatly missed. It is never easy to understand when a young life is cut short, but we will get through this together. Her family and friends are all in our thoughts.”
Wren High teacher, Stacey Scott said, “She was a truly beautiful young lady with just wholesome All American good looks, but more than that she was always willing to lend a helping hand and word of encouragement to her classmates. She had a great personality and was a pleasure to know and to teach. She always made a point to stop by and speak even though I was no longer her teacher. She always had a winning smile and seemed very confident and just truly a happy young lady. I remember when we did group work in my class, everyone always wanted Lacee in their group because she was so willing and giving and made sure everyone was accommodated for. She was so incredibly sweet and caring. She was also always prepared for class and a great student and a great kid. She will be missed so very much. I am so heartbroken for her family and will do anything at all to help.”
“It was my pleasure to have known and taught Lacee Dial last year and this current year. Lacee was a good student. She was a good person who enjoyed being at Wren. She enjoyed life. She interacted with her peers, as well as with me. She didn’t treat others badly, but instead would talk with anybody. She was always professional and punctual. She liked my jokes, as bad as they are. She was attentive to what was being said, whether by me or by others. When I looked around the room to see who was alert versus who was just dozing off, Lacee was always watching what I was doing. She was the kind of student that as a teacher, I could share a knowing glance when something funny or odd happened in class. She would have a little grin that anybody who knew her would recognize. I’m going to miss her.”
Jane Harrison, District Spokesperson for the district said, “Lacee attended Anderson One schools during her school career. She has made quite an impact on many students, teachers and administrators over the years. She had many friends in the Powdersville area. We are all greatly saddened by this tragic loss.”
