JEMEIRE HITE With diploma, hours before fatal crash in Campbell Co.
The Lunenburg community is mourning the tragic death of one of its recent Central High School graduates. Less than six hours after receiving his diploma on Saturday, May 24th, 18-year-old Jemeire C. Hite was fatally injured in a motor vehicle accident.
The single-vehicle crash occurred at 4:44 p.m. on Gladys Road in Campbell County. According to State Police, Hite was a passenger in a 2011 Chevy Malibu that ran off the right side of the road, went down and then up and embankment, and struck a tree. He died four days later at Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
State Police identified the driver as 23-year-old John E. Witcher, Jr. of Lynch Station. Other passengers were identified as 20-year-old Ashlyn M. Wilder and 22-year-old Samuel D. Waller. Police said none of the four occupants were wearing seatbelts and that the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Lunenburg School Supt. Dr. Sharon H. Stanislas said in a statement that Hite was “full of promise and pride. His loss is felt deeply across our school community. On behalf of Lunenburg County Public Schools, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Jemeire’s family, friends, and loved ones. We grieve with you and stand with you during this difficult time. School counselors are available to support students and staff as we cope with this loss. Jemeire’s memory will forever remain a part of our school family.”
Hite skipped Central’s recent Senior Day festivities to interview for an activities position at a nursing home and was planning to study Social Work at Radford University, where he had been accepted. His funeral was held this past Sunday, June 1st, in Roanoke.
Hite transferred to Central two years ago from Altavista High, where he played sax in the school band and ran track. He also worked previously as a cook at the Hardee’s in Prince George County.
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