Community Honors Woodland Grad Killed In Crash

CARTERSVILLE, GA — The Woodland High School community held a vigil Sunday to honor a graduate who was killed over the weekend in a single-vehicle crash in Bartow County. The school held the vigil to pay respects to Steven Jarmal James, 20, of Euharlee, who died in the collision on Ga. 113 just south of Old Alabama Road.

The Bartow County School System said James' death is a "painful loss" to the Woodland High family. James was a polite young man who was "well respected by not only his peers but his teachers and principals as well."

"Steven was a natural leader and a talented welder," the system said on its Facebook page. "We were honored to watch him grow at Woodland High School and the Bartow County College and Career Academy. Our thoughts are with the James family as they cope with this terrible loss."

Royal blue balloons were released and a cross was presented to James' family before the victim's father "solemnly rode off on Steven's motorcycle," BCSS added.

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According to the Georgia State Patrol, a pickup truck driven by James was traveling in the left lane of Ga. 113 when the vehicle veered to the east side of the road in a curve. James overcorrected his steering, which caused the truck to leave the west side of the highway and crash into a guardrail, the Georgia State Patrol said.

After that impact, James was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene of the collision. A witness at the scene told the trooper that a green Chevrolet pickup truck, similar in year and model to James' vehicle, was stopped at the crash scene. The vehicle had its lights turned off and it was in the left lane directly beside the victim's truck, a description of which was not immediately made available.

That witness made contact with the driver of the pickup, and she spoke briefly with him. However, the witness said the driver fled the scene once she asked if he called 911. The driver is described as a white male, approximately 5'10'' to 6 feet tall with short, dark hair.

At this time there is no indication that this other pickup truck was involved in the crash, but there is evidence to suggest that the driver witnessed the crash. Troopers would appreciate any help in locating this individual. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Troop A Communications Center at (770) 387-3701.

According to his obituary, the funeral service for James will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6 at Cartersville First Baptist Church. His body will lie in state at the church from 1 p.m. until the funeral hour. Burial will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Images via Bartow County School System