GATESVILLE, N.C. (WAVY) — The obituaries for two teenagers killed in a dirt bike collision in Gates County reveal new information about the young men.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol says the crash happened last Wednesday night, on Harrell Church Road.
Demond Jones, 19, and a 13-year-old boy died on the scene of the head-on crash.
The crash was near where the road meets Turner Road, just east of the Gatesville town line, according to Sergeant K.R. Briggs with North Carolina Highway Patrol.
The highway patrol does not identify juveniles, but from his obituary, 10 On Your Side has learned the younger teen was Jeremiah Sharpe, affectionately known as “Tubby.” He was in 8th grade at Central Middle School. A visitation is being held on November 26 at St. Paul Baptist Church and his celebration of life will be held on November 27 at 2:30 p.m. at Gates County High School.
Demond graduated from Gates County High School in 2018 and was employed at Huntington Ingalls Shipyard at the time of his death. A visitation is scheduled for November 26 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at St. Paul Baptist Church and his celebration of life will be held Wednesday, November 27 at 11 a.m. at Greater Saunders Grove Baptist Church, where he was a drummer.
The two were riding dirt bikes in opposite directions shortly after 8 p.m. when the bike being ridden by the 13-year-old left its lane and collided into the bike ridden by Jones, the preliminary investigation revealed.
“Both bikes were being operated unlawfully,” Sgt. Briggs said, pointing out that “dirt bikes” are not allowed on the road.
He also reported that neither bike had a working headlight. One helmet was found at the scene, but it is not known if it was being worn by either rider.
Superintendent of Gates County Public Schools Barry Williams tweeted a picture of himself with the Gates High School Basketball team with the words “In loving memory, Demond Jones. I miss you.”
Resources for students to deal with grief are currently listed on the front page of the district’s website.
