One teen dies from injuries sustained in Fri. crash

Published 7:00 am Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Authorities confirm 16-year-old Victoria Odom of Carriere died Sunday evening from injuries sustained during a two-vehicle collision on Friday.

Pearl River County Coroner Derek Turnage said Odom “died at Forrest General from multiple traumas sustained in Friday’s accident.”

According to Mississippi Highway Patrol Spokesperson Cpl. Benjamin Seibert, a Volkswagen Jetta collided with a Buick Century that was crossing Highway 11 on Old Highway 11 at 8:14 a.m. Seibert said the Buick was driven by a 17-year-old male of Carriere and Odom was the passenger. They weren’t wearing seatbelts during the time of the accident.

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The two drivers went to Highland Community Hospital with minor injuries, while Odom was transported to Forrest General with serious injuries. The accident remains under investigation, Seibert said.

Superintendent for the Pearl River County School District Alan Lumpkin said students, faculty and staff are grieving during this time.

“It’s another difficult day for the PRC family,” Lumpkin said. “When I visited PRC, I saw students comforting each other and sharing stories and the good times they shared with Tori. She was an outstanding student, involved in many activities and well liked by her peers.”

Lumpkin said this is the second student death that occurred during this year. The first was a car crash in July that took the life of 16-year-old Shane Smith of Carriere.

Lumpkin also said the school is providing counseling services for students, faculty and staff.

There’s currently a GoFundMe account set up to assist Odom’s familiy at www.gofundme.com/ryaekdvg.