RICHBURG, S.C. — A high school senior was killed late Tuesday when his truck went off the road and struck a tree.
The Chester County Coroner's Office identified William Cory Abernathy, 17, as the victim. Those at Lewisville High School knew him as Cory.
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On Wednesday, students wrote letters to his family during class.
"He would stand up for us whenever we needed him to," one read.
"He had our back and we had his," wrote another student.
"He was a young man that you would like your son to hang out with," said Lewisville High Principal James Knox.
The crash happened around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 3400 block of Gaston Farm Road, troopers said. The truck went off the road to the left and hit a tree.
The coroner said he was pronounced dead at the scene.
He was coming home from work at the time.
School officials spoke with Abernathy's mother Wednesday.
"[Cory] called to say I'm on the way home," Knox said. "That again says something about who the young man is. He called his momma."
Abernathy was remembered for his love of the outdoors. He was involved in welding at the Chester County Career Center and planned on going into the field, school officials said.
"It saddens me greatly that I won't see him sitting in the left corner of my classroom again, nor at graduation this spring," said Aaron Mouyeous, a teacher at the school.
Abernathy was part of a group of friends called the Back Land Boys who parked their trucks in the back of the parking lot and often streamed American flags as a show of patriotism.
Friends told Eyewitness News that the group also held fundraisers and events for those in need. The group is planning to hold an event for Cory next Saturday.
A vigil is planned for 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the school and is open to the public.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been made public.
The following statement was released by the district Wednesday morning:
<em>The Lewisville High School family lost one of its own last night, William Cory Abernathy. Cory was a senior who loved the outdoors, working hard, and spending time with his family and friends. He was a man's man who had learned the love of welding at the Chester County Career Center and had plans to pursue this career field after graduation. He was part of a fine group of our young men who loved his country and loved to fly the American flag on their trucks. His sweet smile, easygoing manner, and warm personality will surely be missed by his friends and faculty at Lewisville High School. Our condolences go out to his family. Arrangements will be announced later.</em>
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