Marion student killed in one-car accident
Calvin Riggs, 18, 1094 X Ranch Road, Florence, was killed in a one-car accident early Sunday morning.
Riggs, a Marion High School senior, was southbound on U.S.-77 north of 150th at 1:15 a.m. when he lost control of the 1982 Chevrolet S-10 he was driving. The vehicle slid into the west ditch and rolled numerous times.
Sleet and snow flurries had fallen earlier causing the road to be slick and may have contributed to the cause of accident.
At 5:40 a.m., a motorist noticed the vehicle and reported it to authorities. Marion Police Officer Josh Whitwell responded to the accident and found the injured teenager. Marion County Sheriff's deputies were on other calls at the time.
An ambulance was dispatched to the scene.
"Life Watch (LifeTeam Air Ambulance) was contacted," reported Lee Becker, county sheriff, "but couldn't fly due to the weather."
Riggs was transported to St. Luke Hospital and stabilized before being transported to Wesley Medical Center.
"Once again, Life Watch was summoned to the hospital (St. Luke) but still couldn't fly because of the weather," said Becker.
Riggs died later at Wesley Medical Center.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. today at Eastmoor United Methodist Church with the Rev. Steve Hysom officiating.
Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Florence.
A memorial fund has been established with the Marion High School Athletic Department.
