Video: Community Deals With Tragic Deaths Of Two Teenagers

SALTILLO, MISS. (WCBI) –  The black bows placed at the entrance to Saltillo High School served as a vivid reminder of the tragic wreck Friday night, which claimed the life of 19 year old Kartrell Rivers, a senior at the school, and his friend, 18 year old Peyton Dyer, who graduated this past May.

“I know both the students, as far as my dealings with them I’ve never had any problems with them, both of them are yessir, no  sir kids, just seemed to always be happy and enjoying themselves,” said Principal Tim DeVaughn.
Extra counselors, and area youth pastors were called in to help students, teachers and faculty deal with the loss.  This is also the second week of state tests.  Still, extra time was carved out of the day to let students process their feelings.

“We also brought counselors, pastors and youth ministers into our gym during break, we allowed students to come in there, probably had, I’m going to guess around 200 students that came in there during break, they met in a big group and split off into four different groups in there,” Principal DeVaughn said.

Now, two families are making plans to bury their loved ones.  State Senator Chad McMahan is a longtime Guntown resident, who will deliver the eulogy at Peyton Dyer’s service.

“He was a friend of my family, as a matter of fact, his yard and our backyard, we shared a fence line so it’s a terrible tragedy,” Sen. McMahan said.

McMahan says the community is rallying around both families.

“Young people see their lives they really believe they have their whole lives in front of them, they don’t realize how precious life is and when a young person loses their life it is a lot of sadness in the community,” he said.

A Celebration of Life for Dyer takes place Wednesday at 2 at Lakeview Baptist Church in Tupelo.  Arrangements for Rivers are incomplete at this time.