ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — The Orangeburg County coroner has identified the two Calhoun County High School students killed in a high-speed chase early this month on the Neeses Highway.
Coroner Samuetta Marshall identified the victims as 17-year-old Josiah Michael and 17-year -old Ty’Sheanna Matthews. The two died in a collision on October 8 on the Neeses Highway.
It's a situation the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office is calling a “senseless act.”
“It’s a profound loss because these are young people,” said Chief Chandra Gibbs. “And often times when you’re looking at young people especially those that are juniors and seniors, you’re looking at those who are getting ready to start their lives and so you realize how many opportunities have been lost by this heinous and senseless act.”
Deputies say 17-year-old Elijah Hickson of Saint Matthews used his vehicle to chase the victims at high rates of speeds on Neeses Highway. Investigators said the chase led to the victims losing control of their car and crashing into a tree.
Hickson has been charged as an adult for traffic related voluntary manslaughter and his bond was set last Friday at $300,000. Chief Gibbs said the type of crime plays a role in the decision to charge Hickson as an adult.
“The type of crime does meet the classification in which he can be charged as an adult and of course anytime that lives are lost, that is something that we are paying attention to," Chief Gibbs said. "As much as it is that we are looking at the investigative portion of it we still have two families that are forever changed.”
Princess Michael is Josiah’s mom and says this loss is unimaginable.
“This was his last year in school like I said we’re not going to get the opportunity to see our boy walk across that stage,” said Michael. “He would tell me mama, you know I got you right, I got you don’t even call daddy, I got you,” said Michael. “We didn’t have to ask him to do things cause he would do them he literally would take it upon himself to do it. Josiah was loved by so many people, we’re going to miss him.”
She goes on to remind parents to cherish the time they have with their kids.
“Love on you kids, just love on you children as much as you can just love on them,” says Michael.
If Hickson is convicted he faces up to 30 years on each count of manslaughter.