Rock Hill PD: Speed a factor in crash that killed 16-year-old

ROCK HILL, S.C. — Police in Rock Hill said a 16-year-old boy died after losing control of his car and crashing into a tree Thursday night.

Officers said the teen wrecked his 1999 Acura in the woods on Heckle Boulevard near Wade Hampton Boulevard around 11 p.m.

First responders pronounced the boy dead at the scene.

The York County coroner identified the boy as Frankie Adams.

According to police, the car ran off the right side of the road, and hit a light pole and overturned before hitting two trees.

Students at Rock Hill High School are grieving the loss of Adams.

"It's unfortunate because he was a very good kid. A kid that was well loved and liked by all of his classmates," said Principal James Blake.

School officials said they are planning a tribute and will give any photos of Adams taken by the yearbook staff to his family as a memorial.

Adams' co-workers at Zaxby's laid a memorial wreath in front of the restaurant and posted a message on the restaurant marquee that read "Frankie, we love you."

"The people who knew him knew that he was a genuinely nice person," Blake said.

Crash investigators said they will work through the weekend to determine what caused Adams to lose control of his Honda Acura on Heckle Boulevard Thursday night.

"Excessive speed was a factor, but at that time last night in Rock Hill, streets were still wet, so we don't know what else," said Capt. Mike Bollinger.

WSOC