A football player at Pickens High School in South Carolina is dead after being involved in a rollover UTV accident on Sunday, September 20.
Cruz Ellenburg, a 16-year-old sophomore, was a wide receiver and backup quarterback for the Blue Flame’s varsity football team. The crash is being investigated and the coroner will conduct a forensic autopsy at a later date, according to South Carolina’s WSPA.
The crash occurred at around 5 p.m. on Sunday, when Ellenburg’s UTV went off the roadway on the 200 block of Dalton Road, veering onto private property and flipping over. Ellenburg was driving the vehicle and was unrestrained, according to the Greenville News. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Our hearts are with Cruz’s family, friends, classmates, and the entire Pickens High School community during this very difficult time,” the school district said in a statement shared by WSPA. “Counselors and additional district support personnel are available at Pickens High School beginning today for students and staff members who may need support. We encourage families to speak with their children and to reach out to the school if additional support is needed.”
The statement continued, “Out of respect for Cruz’s family, the district will not share additional details regarding the accident. We ask our community to keep the Ellenburg family and all who knew and loved Cruz in their thoughts and prayers.”
Ellenburg most recently appeared in a junior varsity game for Pickens, hauling in three touchdown catches and earning player of the game honors on Thursday, September 17.
Ellenburg’s head coach, James Reynolds, released a statement remembering him as a “bright light in our school, community and football program.”
“He was a dedicated player, teammate and friend to many,” he said. “Our team will miss his infectious smile, energy and talents, but his memory will be honored through the hard work we put in moving forward.”
Offensive coordinator Rich Windham struck a similar tone.
“Cruz was an incredibly special young man to our football team,” he said. “He showed toughness, talent and, most importantly, great character as a player, teammate and friend. Our team loved him, and we are going to miss him dearly.”
“We as a community grieve over the loss of a young, vibrant student, Cruz Evatt Ellenburg, and I believe we all feel that he is gone too soon,” Pickens mayor Isaiah Scipio added. “I am praying for his family, his school family, his football family, and all of us in this community. When one hurts, we all feel the pain.”
