A Gwinnett County student was killed in an accident where the driver has been charged with DUI.
The accident happened Saturday when a Flowery Branch man hit a concrete barrier while getting on State Route 316 from the northbound lanes of Sugarloaf Parkway. Caitlyn Pollock, 16, of Buford, was one of seven people in the vehicle. Pollock died from her injuries.
The driver, Kyle McDowell, 21, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol less safe, failure to maintain lane and 1st-degree vehicular homicide.
Students at Mill Creek High School in Hoschton are grieving the loss of Pollock, a cheerleader at the school. In a GoFundMe to help the family with her funeral expenses, family and friends expressed their grief. “Caitlyn was a friend to all and cherished her friends and family dearly. Always smiling and the life of any event. Caitlyn lived life to the fullest every day,” says the author of the page. “She was passionate about Cheer and was an active member of the Mill Creek High School and ATA Cheer Teams.”
Counselors will be available to students who need help processing the news. On the high school’s website, a tribute to Pollock was posted. “Gone from our sight, but never our hearts. We draw strength from one another today as we mourn the tragic loss of one of our students over the weekend. Our deepest condolences go out to her family and we hope the many happy memories she has left behind will offer some peace in this difficult time.”
McDowell was also taken to the hospital with minor injuries. There has been no word on the conditions of the other five people in the vehicle.
