A Rabun County High School senior reportedly died on Sunday, Aug. 27, when her vehicle crashed during rainy conditions as she was driving to her Sky Valley residence after leaving her job in Highlands.
Caitlyn Alexandra Faye, a member of the RCHS Class of 2024, was traveling on North Carolina 106. She was reportedly driving from her place of employment, Spinx service station in Highlands.
Faye’s family will receive friends at Beck Funeral Home on Sunday, Sept. 3, from 3-5 p.m. with a memorial service to follow at 5 p.m. in the Beck Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jim Carver officiating.
The passing of Faye was announced to the RCHS student body on Monday morning.
“The loss of a student is one of the hardest things a school or student body can experience, and RCHS is heartbroken by the loss of one of our own,” RCHS Principal Justin Spillers told The Clayton Tribune. “Our focus over the next few weeks will be to provide support to our students, faculty, and staff as they cope with that loss, and to offer any support we can for Miss Faye’s family.
“Miss Faye will be remembered as a loyal friend and classmate and by her teachers as a student who worked hard and was a joy to have in class,” Spillers said. “She was especially fond of her art classes and always enjoyed her time with Mrs. (Amy) Jarrard, often taking a front row seat in the class to make sure she didn’t miss a thing.”
Spillers said the school system this week had additional officials available to assist others during this time of loss.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have wonderful counselors who came together to support our students, faculty, and staff throughout the day,” Spiller said. “In addition to our counselors, we brought in counselors from Rabun County Primary, Elementary, and Middle School, along with local clergy to help provide grief counseling to any students who just needed someone to talk with. We will continue to have opportunities for grief counseling throughout the week with Ms. (Angie) Addington, Mrs. (Sherrie) Stockton, and Mrs. (Jessica) Ward.
“I am incredibly thankful for all the ways our School System and community have supported RCHS,” he said.
Rabun County Superintendent Dr. April Childers said she and the school system expresses its sympathies to the Faye family.
“I extend my heart and offer my deepest condolences to the student’s family, friends, and loved ones for their loss,” Childers said. “I ask that everyone keep the family, friends, and the entire Rabun school community in their thoughts and prayers. We are all devastated by the loss of Caitlyn. Our focus remains on the well-being of our students over the next days and going forward while also continuing to extend our condolences to the entire Faye family.”
As of press time, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol had not completed its full investigation into the crash but did release an initial statement.
“The Sunday afternoon accident occurred on NC 106 near Highlands and preliminary information shows that a potential contributing factor was exceeding a safe speed for the road conditions,” North Carolina State Highway Patrol Sgt. R. Dietz said. “It was a single-car accident and the driver died as a result.”
A GoFundMe account has been established by Faye’s aunt on behalf of the family to pay for funeral arrangements. A goal of $20,000 was announced. As of Wednesday morning, more than $13,000 had been raised.
Faye’s accident was the second fatal accident on NC106 in less than 24 hours. On Saturday night a single vehicle accident led to the death of Bambi Lynn Ludwig, age 39. Ludwig was heading to her home from her job at Highlands Smokehouse according to reports.
“Highlands Smokehouse will be closed today Monday, Aug 28th. We lost one of our employees in a tragic accident. We are taking the day to remember her and mourn the loss. We appreciate your understanding,” the restaurant posted on its Facebook page.
The cause of the Saturday night accident is also still under investigation. The two accidents occurred less than a mile from each other on NC106, according to Highlands Fire Chief Ryan Gearhart.
“On behalf of Highlands Fire and Rescue we send our condolences to the families of these two young ladies,” Gearhart said. “May God comfort them during their time of suffering.”
Ryan Hanchett, publisher of The Highlander, contributed to this article.