18-year-old football player, school superintendent killed in Chester County crash

CHESTER COUNTY, S.C. — Investigators said a Rock Hill teenager and the superintendent at a South Carolina school district were killed when their vehicles collided Thursday night in Chester County.

Officials identified Savion White,18, and Dr. Betty Jo Hall, 58, as the victims in the crash, which happened around 6 p.m. on West End Road outside of Chester.

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Channel 9 has learned White played football at South Pointe High School in Rock Hill and was heading to Newberry College, where he had a football scholarship, this coming school year.

White's coach Strait Herron said when he stepped on the field, he played the game with heart and had already accomplished so much.

(White)

"He was always in a good mood," Herron said. "He was always a guy who could uplift other people and that's what I'll always remember about him. We put him at linebacker, he wasn't really big enough and he led the area in tackles. He had a big heart, played the game hard, liked other people, was good to other people."

Herron said he found out Thursday night about White's death.

"I found out last night and of course, it made it hard to go to sleep," Herron said. "At South Pointe, we built a true athletic family so when we lose one of ours it hits hard."

The current football coach at South Pointe said they will dedicate this season to White.

Hall was the superintendent of Abbeville County Schools.

“It is with great sadness to inform you that our beloved superintendent, Dr. Betty Jo Hall, used the wings she earned on this earth to soar to be with our Lord, her Heavenly Father, shortly after 6:00 PM last night. Please be in prayer for her husband, Wally, and her brother and sister and extended family,” the school district posted on its Facebook page.

(Hall)

Investigators said Hall’s husband, Wallace, was driving and Hall was a passenger in a Dodge Durango SUV that was heading north on West End Road. They said White was driving south in a Chevy SUV and crossed the center line. Investigators said White’s vehicle hit the Halls' vehicle head-on.

Both White and Dr. Betty Jo Hall died. Wallace Hall was taken to the hospital. We don’t know his condition.

Highway Patrol is still investigating the crash, but troopers told Channel 9's Tina Terry Friday they could not say exactly what caused it.

Check back for updates on this story.

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