FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. -- A 14-year-old girl and a 23-year-old man both from Scranton have died after a car crash in South Carolina.
The ripple effects of that single car crash in South Carolina are being felt in the Scranton area. A car full of six young people from Scranton went off the road Saturday morning on Interstate 95 north, about 30 miles south of the North Carolina state line.
According to South Carolina Highway Patrol, the driver, Darhon McEachern, 23, died at the scene. McEachern was raised in Scranton and graduated from Scranton high school.
One of his five passengers, Serena Caramanno, 14, died from her injuries Monday night. Caramanno's family and close friends called her Retta. She was set to start her freshman year at West Scranton High School in a few weeks.
"She was really sweet. She was fun to be around. She was energetic. She was really cool," said Jadelee McDonald of Scranton.
Caramanno's family told Newswatch 16 that she had been gone from home for a few days. They did not know she was in South Carolina.
They also said they do not know Darhon McEachern. McEachern's close friends also did not know how the two victims knew each other. McEachern had just moved back to Scranton from North Carolina.
The four others in the car, two adults and two minors, were injured, including Jennifer Haasz, 26.
There is no word on their conditions.
Even though there are many questions about how this happened, friends of Darhon McEachern are focusing on the lasting impression he made.
"The greatest kid, outgoing just always cheerful, you know, fun, laughing, fun to be around. Just the greatest kid ever, really. And it's unfortunate that he had to go this soon, but he will never be forgotten," said Malcolm Sweeting of Scranton.
Authorities in South Carolina are still investigating the crash and what may have led to it.
Serena Caramanno's family tells us her parents are on their way home from South Carolina.
