UPDATE published on April 7, 2026 @ 5:55 p.m.<\/p>\n
Franklin County, Florida Sheriff A.J. “Tony” Smith gave AccessWDUN more details on the fiery Monday crash that took the lives of three Horizon Christian Academy students.<\/p>\n
He told AccessWDUN the teenagers were driving in a Jeep on the way down to St. George Island to meet some of their parents for spring break.<\/p>\n
The wreck only involved the Jeep, which was traveling southbound before veering into the northbound lanes hitting a pine tree according to eyewitness accounts. That collision caused the car to catch fire.<\/p>\n
Smith said there were four occupants, and one survived but is currently at a hospital in Tallahassee. He said she is “very fortunate given the severity of the crash.”<\/p>\n
He added that intoxication was not believed to be a factor, and he said tiredness was likely a factor due to the students traveling since 5 a.m. on Monday.<\/p>\n
Smith said his office is withholding the victims’ names until the next-of-kin have time to process the tragedy.<\/p>\n
Original story published on April 7, 2026 @ 3:59 p.m.<\/p>\n
Horizon Christian Academy, a private school in Cumming, confirmed on Tuesday that three of their students were killed in a wreck in Florida.<\/p>\n
“Please join us in lifting up these students\u2019 families, and their friends in prayer. We also ask for continued prayer for the student who remains in the hospital,” the school posted to Facebook.<\/p>\n
Various<\/a> metro-Atlanta news outlets<\/a> confirmed the crash happened in Franklin County, Florida (between Panama City Beach and Tallahassee).<\/p>\n The City of Cumming also posted<\/a>, noting that their “Cumming Home” water tower will be lit up in navy blue and gold Tuesday night in honor of the students lost in the Monday crash.<\/p>\n