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Mary Persons High student, 17, killed when SUV strikes tree

A Mary Persons High School student died Friday morning when the SUV he was driving crashed along Juliette Road, sheriff’s officials said.

The wreck happened at about 7:30 a.m in the 3100 block of Juliette Road, a few miles east of Forsyth.

The victim, Caden Jackson Swancey, 17, of Monroe County, was at the wheel of a Lincoln Navigator that was headed west when it ran off the road and, according to a sheriff’s statement, “over-corrected, went down an embankment and struck a tree.”

The statement said Swancey, who was ejected from the SUV in the crash, died at the scene.

Mike Hickman, the county’s school superintendent, later said in a statement, “Our deepest condolences are with the family and friends of Caden Swancey, as well as the (Mary Persons) family.”

The principal at Mary Persons, Jim Finch, described Swancey as “well-liked” and said Swancey would “be sorely missed. Our prayers go out to Caden’s family and friends. The Mary Persons community is heartbroken today.”

On Friday, counselors were provided for students and faculty.

This story was originally published November 12, 2021 at 10:41 AM.

Joe Kovac Jr.
The Telegraph
Joe Kovac Jr. writes about local news and features for The Telegraph, with an eye for human-interest stories. Joe is a Warner Robins native and graduate of Warner Robins High. He joined the Telegraph in 1991 after graduating from the University of Georgia. As a Pulliam Fellowship recipient in 1991, Joe worked for the Indianapolis News. His stories have appeared in the Washington Post, the Seattle Times and Atlanta Magazine. He has been a Livingston Award finalist and won numerous Georgia Press Association and Georgia Associated Press awards.
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