A teenager, Katelyn Ray, died in a tragic accident after her car hit a South Panola School bus on Highway 15 near Highway 6 in Panola County, Mississippi, around 7:15 a.m. on Wednesday.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol confirmed the victim as Katelyn Ray. She was on her way to pick up her older sister from work when the accident occurred.
Katelyn’s mother, Shelia Ray, shared their last conversation, expressing love and affection.
The family grew worried when Katelyn didn’t show up at her sister’s job by 7:30 a.m. In desperation, Katelyn’s sister, Courtney Pettit, posted on Facebook seeking information.
The family’s search ended when the highway patrol informed them of the accident. Katelyn, a recent GED student at the WIN Job Center, had just received her driver’s license two months before. The Panola County community is deeply mourning her loss as the Mississippi Highway Patrol continues the investigation.