SUMTER, SC (WIS) – Two children were struck and killed by pickup trucks Sunday morning, officials said.

One of the teenagers was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other died Tuesday morning at a local hospital.

The two pedestrians – 12-year-old Basir Wells and 15-year-old Marvin Butler – were hit by two different trucks. The 12-year-old’s aunt said the two boys were friends.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol said the crash happened around 6 a.m. on Britton Road near Excitement Lane, which is in a rural part of the county north of Brodgon.

Baker said two other pedestrians who were with the boys at the time of the crash were also injured.

“What kids have to realize is what these kids see on TV is TV,” Baker said. “This is real life and things happen, and when death happens, there’s no going back.”

Butler, a Crestwood High School student, was struck and killed on Britton Road by a westbound Dodge pickup truck, troopers said in a news release. His the death was confirmed on Sunday by the coroner’s office.

Troopers said Wells was struck by a 2020 GMC Sierra traveling eastbound on Britton Road.

Wells, a student at Chestnut Oaks Middle School, was taken to Prisma Health Richland for injuries from the crash. He died Tuesday, the coroner’s office said.

“It was a dark road, in the county,” Baker said. “It was just around the corner from a bend, 6 in the morning…it’s dark.”

It is not clear what the group of children were doing before the accident.

Police said no charges have been filed and the case is still under investigation.

The medical examiner’s office said an autopsy for Wells will be performed Friday at the University of Charleston Medical Center. Butler’s autopsy is scheduled for next week.

Baker said the autopsy will provide insight into whether the children were sitting, lying down or walking along the road when they were hit.

Baker said this marks the fifth death of a juvenile in Sumter County since July 3 — three homicides and now two accidents. Baker urges parents in the county to be aware of where their children are and what they are doing, especially on social media.

“Be a parent and not their best friend,” Baker said. “Don’t be afraid to step on kids’ toes and tell them what they should and shouldn’t do, what they should and shouldn’t do, because if you don’t, unfortunately situations arise bad and tragic situations arise.”

SCHP’s multi-disciplinary accident reconstruction team spent hours at the scene marking the road and will continue to investigate what happened.

Sumter School District officials said additional counseling will be available to students affected by the two deaths.

“The Sumter School District mourns the loss of a Crestwood High School student and a Chestnut Oaks High School student. Our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies are extended to their families during this very difficult time.

“Losing a classmate can be very difficult and the Sumter School District is very sensitive to the emotional needs of our students. The district’s crisis support team and school guidance counselors are available to assist any student or staff member at Crestwood High and Chestnut Oaks Middle who may need assistance coping with this tragic loss.”

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