Jackson Free Press

A fatal automobile accident claimed the lives of two Tougaloo College freshmen Friday. Kiara Taylor and Shanna Whitt, both of Greenville, were killed when the car Taylor was driving collided head-on with an SUV on North State Street near College Drive. The SUV's driver, Keith Harelson, 35, was conscious when an ambulance transported him to the University of Mississippi Medical Center, WJTV reported. Jackson police have said that alchohol was not involved in the collision.

Taylor, 18, and Whitt, 19, were cheerleaders at Tougaloo, roommates and best friends from high school. Tougaloo officials have made grief counselors available to students, faculty and staff.

A third passenger and Tougaloo cheerleader, Jamilia Haywood, was in stable condition at University of Mississippi Medical Center, WAPT reported Monday.

Jackson police are searching for the driver of a third vehicle, a black SUV that witnesses say may have caused the crash by forcing one of the vehicles involved into oncoming traffic. Witnesses told WAPT that the black SUV did not stop after the crash.

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Such a sad story. Greenville is full of Tougaloo graduates. My deepest condolence goes out to the families of the victims. Hopefully, the students and college will erect some kind of lasting monument to the the deceased girls.

Walt

Oct 5 2009