SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. — Authorities have released the names of four confirmed victims of a deadly South Carolina crash and the presumptive identity of one other - all of whom were family.
Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger said three children and two adults died in the crash, which happened on Feb. 24 along I-26 and involved two sedans and a commercial vehicle transport truck, also known as a car hauler.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol said previously that the car hauler struck a Toyota sedan and then crossed the cable barriers into the eastbound lanes. There, a Honda sedan struck the car hauler.
All five occupants of the Honda died. Clevenger confirmed that the victims included 14-year-old Ashton Isaiah Olley, 11-year-old Jaicurious Treyvon Gist and 8-year-old Jalecia Andrea Gist - all siblings.
Clevenger said 36-year-old Ashia Michelle Ballenger also died in the crash and was the aunt to the three children. A fifth victim has presumptively been identified as 57-year-old Leroy Covington. Clevenger said he was the grandfather of the three children and Ballenger's father. The coroner said his identity was considered presumptive pending the results of a DNA test.
In the aftermath of the crash, Spartanburg County School District Six confirmed the three children were part of its school community.
"Ashton, Jaicurious, and Jalecia were all loving students with infectious smiles," the district wrote. "Our students, teachers, and staff will never forget their vibrant personalities and the joy they brought to our classrooms."
The district offered condolences to the family of the victims.
In the aftermath of the crash, the family established an online fundraising campaign to help cover the costs of the five funerals. Since being created days after the crash, the fundraiser has already received more than $52,000 in donations which surpassed its $50,000 goal.