Boy, 11, killed in accident
By Anessa Myers
Published in News on November 25, 2007 2:01 AM
An 11-year-old boy died after being hit by a car Friday evening on Church of God Road.
Layne Knopick, of U.S. 117, Fremont, died Friday evening at about 5:45 after he was struck by a car near the intersection of Church of God Road and N.C. 111.
The boy was walking back to a home with some friends when his skateboard got away from him, Highway Patrol 1st Sgt. Jerry Burton said.
He ran into the road to get his skateboard and was hit by a car driven by Khiry Reid, 17, of Sheridan Forest Road, Burton said. Reid will not be charged, the trooper said.
Knopick was pronounced dead at the scene, but was taken to Wayne Memorial Hospital in hopes of revival.
He was a sixth-grader at Norwayne Middle School.
Knopick's principal, Mario Re, said this loss is one that will affect more than just Knopick's family.
"It's a tragic loss to our whole community and our school," said Re, who was on his way to the family's home early Saturday afternoon along with Knopick's teachers and counselors.
"He was new to our school because he's a sixth-grader, but from what his teachers said, he was well liked, outgoing," Re added. "He stayed after school for tutoring every week. He was a dedicated kid."
He said the school planned to have counselors and psychologists on hand Monday when students returned to classes.
Funeral arrangements are with Seymour Funeral Home.
-- Staff writer Phyllis Moore contributed to this report.