SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A double tragedy in the Kanawha County system.
Two of the three deaths that occurred a few hours apart Monday in South Charleston had ties to local schools.
Alison Ross, 58, of Nitro, was a second grade instructional aide at Richmond Elementary School in South Charleston.
Ross was driving across the Dunbar Toll Bridge after school on Monday when her car was struck by an oncoming vehicle. Both Ross and the driver of the other vehicle, Roy Day, 68, of Hurricane, died from injuries suffered in the collision.
Richmond Elementary posted on its Facebook page Tuesday that there were heavy hearts at the school.
“Alison always had a smile on her face and a special way of lighting up the room,” the post said. “Her warmth, kindness and joyful spirit will be deeply missed by our students, staff and families.
“Please keep Alison’s family, our staff, and our students in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
Hunter Combs, 12, of South Charleston, died after being struck by a car at around 7:30 p.m. Monday as he attempted to cross MacCorkle Ave. with another child.
Combs was in the sixth grade at Dunbar Middle School.
Hunter was the middle of three brothers. He had just turned 12.
In a GoFundMe account created by his mother, she said he had made several friends at his new school. She described her son as a “protector for his younger brother and his older brother.”
“His smile could brighten anyone’s day,” he mother wrote. “He had a big heart.”
Counseling services are available at both schools.