The Florence community continues to mourn the loss of one local teen and pray for the recovery of another after a weekend car crash near Charleston.
Taylor Michael Elmore, 17, of Florence died Saturday in a crash along Interstate 26 in Dorchester County, Dorchester County Coroner Chris Nisbet said. Elmore was headed east toward Charleston when he ran off the road, lost control of his car and hit a large pine tree, according to S.C. Highway Patrol reports.
His passenger, Hali Roberson, also of Florence was airlifted to the Medical University of South Carolina Hospital in Charleston.
Elmore’s aunt, Kathy Elmore of Florence, said her nephew and Roberson were headed to Charleston to tour the College of Charleston campus, where the rising West Florence High School senior planned to pursue a degree in international business.
“He really had great aspirations and dreams,” Kathy Elmore said. “Taylor was an old soul. We’ve always said that about him because he was so mature in his spiritual life and in his appreciation for those around him. He understood what was important in life, even at 17.”
Taylor was a member of the West Florence High cross country and track teams. He loved running and enjoyed spending as much time outdoors as possible, his aunt said.
“He kayaked, he hiked, he ran,” Kathy Elmore said. “He and his brother and parents were very, very close, and they loved doing all of these activities together. His dad was in the military, so they moved around a lot, and wherever they were, they made sure they saw every site there was to see. He just loved to travel and explore. He loved nature.”
Taylor worked at his aunt’s law firm and was always a joy to be around, Kathy Elmore said.
“I think what I’ll remember most was probably his genuine compassion for others,” she said. “He really had a burden for everyone to be conflict-free and content.”
Funeral services for Taylor were held Tuesday, and many of his classmates and teachers attended. West Florence Principal Pam Quick said the large attendance was a testament to Taylor’s personality.
“He was very well liked by everybody and had a lot of friends,” Quick said. “He was a really good student and a nice young man. He will be greatly missed.”
According to an update posted on the facebook page “Pray for Hali Roberson,” Roberson’s condition is improving.
“Took tubes out yesterday,” the post left Wednesday by Ebenezer Baptist Church Minister David Wike, a friend of the Roberson family, said. “She is communicating, but is in considerable pain. They will be getting her up and walking today.
“It will be painful, but is necessary and is a step forward. Her head injuries, which were the biggest challenges, seem to be minor at this point. The big thing now is getting her up and moving. Probably moving her to a regular room today or tomorrow to start physical therapy. Huge steps forward here, but the road ahead is still a long one.”
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