A tragic accident claimed the life of 17-year-old teen mom Abbigail ‘Grace’ Callaham and left her boyfriend, Thomas Kennedy, critically injured after a freak collision involving a large bird. The couple, who had just left Belton-Honea Path High School in South Carolina after an early dismissal, were on their way to pick up their four-month-old daughter from daycare when the accident occurred.
According to the Anderson County Coroner, the incident took place just after 11 a.m. on Tuesday. A large bird, possibly a turkey, flew out of the woods and struck their windshield, causing Kennedy to lose control of the vehicle. As a result, their car veered off the road, and Kennedy overcorrected, crossing the center line before crashing into a tree on the opposite side of the highway.
Callaham, who was not wearing a seat belt, was tragically pinned in her seat by the impact and was pronounced dead at the scene due to multiple traumatic injuries. Kennedy, though critically injured, was conscious and able to communicate with first responders upon their arrival. He was later transported to a hospital for further treatment.
Coroner Greg Shore described the accident as a heartbreaking event, stating, “It’s just a tragedy. We are all heartbroken over the circumstances.” Callaham’s family, including her father and 12-year-old sister, who were present at the scene, are deeply devastated.
In the wake of the tragedy, Anderson School District Two, where the couple attended high school, has offered grief counselors to support students and staff. The district also expressed its condolences and solidarity with the affected families, sharing a message on Facebook: “Please keep Grace’s family in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate through this difficult time.”
Superintendent Jason Johns spoke about the school community’s sense of unity during this difficult time, saying, “We talk a whole bunch at Anderson District Two that we are a family… this is a support system, love on each other, and just be there for each other.” The district plans to host an event to honor Callaham’s memory and offer prayers for both families involved.
