Two Faulkner University football players were killed in a two-vehicle wreck in Chilton County on Monday morning.
Ryne K. Wilhite, 19, of New Albany, Miss.; and Teirson D. Holiis, 20, of Douglasville, Ga., both were fatally injured in the wreck, according to the Alabama Department of Public Safety.
Wilhite was driving a 1996 Ford Explorer on U.S. 82 about nine miles east of Maplesville at 5:10 a.m. when the wreck occurred. The men were returning from visiting a friend in Tuscaloosa, according to a news release from Faulkner.
Wilhite was driving a 1996 Ford Explorer on U.S. 82 about nine miles east of Maplesville at 5:10 a.m. when the wreck occurred. The men were returning from visiting a friend in Tuscaloosa, according to a news release from Faulkner.
“I’ve never been through anything like this – it hurts so much,’’ Faulkner head coach Gregg Baker said. “T and Ryne were both great kids, two wonderful Christian young men. The only thing that is helping us right now is the fact that we all know exactly where they are, and that’s with our God in Heaven.’’
Hollis and Wilhite were both offensive linemen, with Hollis having been with the program since its inaugural season in 2007. Wilhite had just transferred to Faulkner this semester and went through his first spring practice last month. Hollis, a native of Douglasville, Ga., played high school football at Robert S. Alexander High School. A native of New Albany, Miss., Wilhite played for Northeast Mississippi Community College last season.
“Both of them were always smiling and joking around,” Baker added. “They may no longer with us here, but T and Ryne will always be a part of this program. Always.’’
Flags on the Faulkner campus were flying at half-staff by mid-day Tuesday. The Faulkner football team was informed of the tragedy by Baker and his staff just after the school’s academic honors convocation Tuesday morning. Simultaneously, Faulkner president Dr. Billy D. Hilyer informed the rest of the student body, faculty and administration. Grief counselors have been made available to everyone on campus.“This is a very difficult day for our family,’’ said Hilyer, who also addressed the football team Tuesday. “My primary mission on this campus is to be there for our students and to help provide them what they need to earn a quality Christian education. In many ways, they are like my children. And this just breaks all of our hearts. The message that it should send to everyone is just how much we need God, who we know also lost a child. And it’s the blood of Jesus that we embrace today.’’Funeral service arrangements have yet to be determined.
Alabama State Troopers are investigating the accident.
-- Scott Johnson
Alabama State Troopers are investigating the accident.
-- Scott Johnson
2 comments:
I am a friend of Ryne's from Northeast. We're all shocked and saddened by the wreck. We miss him like crazy. Our prayers are with Ryne and Teirson's family and friends, and the faculty and students of Faulkner University.
Its a shock to see such a wonderful guy die so young. Ryne was a great guy and a great boyfriend. He was constantly looking for the good in everyone and always had a smile on his face. He had many obsticles as he got older. He over came cancer when he was a child. He had such big goals for his life. He was so close to his family. There wasn't a day that went by that he didn't mention his family. He was well loved at Northeast Mississippi Community College. He never met a stranger. He could cheer up anyones day. He's gonna be missed by everyone who came in contact with him. He was the type of person you just didn't forget. He may be gone but he's not forgotten. He'll live on in our memories and hearts. May he rest in peace and I send out my prayers to his family and friends.
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