Florence, SC – Authorities have identified the two teenagers who were killed in a fatal collision that occurred Saturday evening near the intersection of Gaillard and Kershaw roads in Florence. Investigators confirmed the vehicle involved in the crash had been reported stolen.
According to reports, just prior to the collision, the stolen vehicle was speeding and ran a stop sign.
Florence County Investigator Keith von Lutcken reported that the occupants of the vehicle, 14-year-old Tylik Charles and 16-year-old Ameria Dava Grant, both died at the scene from injuries sustained in the crash.
Authorities said those in the second vehicle involved are expected to make full recoveries.
The investigation into the tragic incident remains ongoing.
Florence is a city located at the intersection of Interstates 20 and 95 in northeastern South Carolina. It serves as the county seat of Florence County and is the eastern terminus of Interstate 20. With its strategic location and transportation infrastructure, Florence forms the hub of the Pee Dee region of South Carolina, which encompasses eight counties in the northeastern portion of the state.
According to 2020 census data, the population of Florence proper is 39,899, making it the 10th most populous city in South Carolina. However, the broader Florence metropolitan area consists of nearly 200,000 residents.
For the Florence community, this devastating crash hitting so close to home has elicited an outpouring of grief over the loss of Charles and Grant—two young lives cut tragically short.
As the news spread on social media platforms, friends and classmates of the teens shared memories and messages of mourning. One friend described Grant as “a true friend” who “lit up any room she walked into.” A classmate who knew Charles through little league football wrote that he “had a smile that was simply contagious.”
Many offered condolences to the grieving families: “Our hearts break alongside yours,” wrote one user. “May dear Ameria and Tylik rest in eternal peace.”
Others encouraged community support: “Hug your loved ones tight tonight.”
Victim services are available to all those affected as the community continues to grapple with this devastating loss of two beloved teenagers. Counselors will be on hand at Florence high schools this week to provide grief counseling to students.
Authorities urge anyone with information related to this stolen vehicle crash and tragic young loss of life to come forward to aid police in their ongoing investigation.
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