Girl, 9, dies in wreck

By ROBERT BAKER
Item Staff Writer
bbaker@theitem.com

ALCOLU — A 9-year-old Alcolu girl was pronounced dead Thursday after a two-car wreck on U.S. 301 near Plowden Mill Road in Alcolu.

Anna Coker, 9, daughter of Nancy and Parrish Coker, died about 2:45 p.m. from neck and head trauma after being transported to Clarendon Memorial Hospital, according to Clarendon County Deputy Coroner Bucky Mock.

According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, Anna was riding in a 1995 Buick Regal being driven by her sister Andrea, 17. Sister Abigail, 10, was also a passenger.

"The two sisters were transported to the hospital as well with non life-threatening injuries. Anna was not wearing a seatbelt," Mock said.

Lance Cpl. Josef Robinson of the highway patrol said Andrea was attempting to turn onto Plowden Mill Road when a 2006 Buick Rendezvous hit her vehicle head-on.

"The Rendezvous was traveling south on 301 and (the Regal) was attempting to turn left and failed to yield," Robinson reported.

The Rendezvous was carrying April Rembert, 31, of Bishopville and Marvin Farmer, 54, of Alcolu. Both were transported to Clarendon Memorial Hospital and were treated for non life-threatening injuries, Robinson said.

Anna was a third-grade student at Manning Primary School. Principal Judy Holmes said Friday that the school's students, faculty and staff were all in a state of shock.

"I heard about it at about 5:30 p.m. Thursday," she said. "I could not call her teacher (Peggy Lester) and tell her on the telephone. I drove out to her house to tell her. We were all just devastated by the news."

Holmes said she and Lester came back to school Thursday to call parents of students in Anna's class. She said the school's guidance counselors were aided by Manning Elementary School guidance counselors Friday.

"We made (those calls) so parents and children would know so they would be somewhat prepared when they came to school (Friday) morning," Holmes said. "(The counselors) talked the children through it. We're all still sort of in a state of shock, really."

She said she had spoken with Anna's parents and told them the school would not be the same without Anna's "sweet, sweet smile."

"She was a bright and shining star," Holmes said. "She always had a smile on her face."

Lester told Holmes that Anna was "small, but powerful."

"She was a great student," Holmes said. "She was an all-around outstanding young lady."



Contact Staff Writer Robert Baker at bbaker@theitem.com or (803) 435-8511.