Fundraiser Helps Family Of Adairsville Student Killed In Crash

ADAIRSVILLE, GA -- A GoFundMe page has been established to help the family of an Adairsville High School senior who died Saturday morning after he was hit by a pickup truck in Bartow County.

The fundraiser will help the family of 17-year-old Larry Gardner, Jr., who was struck along Old Highway 41 near Manning Mill Road, the Georgia State Patrol previously told Patch.

"Anyone who knew Larry knows he was very loved and a wonderful person," organizer Brianna Ellis states. "He was a light in the high school and loved everyone. All of the money raised here will be given to his parents to help them in whatever ways they need."

As of 10:30 a.m. Monday, $580 out of $1,000 has been raised so far by donors.

Bartow County EMS and Georgia State Patrol troopers responded to the scene around 7:34 a.m. Oct 7. Once they arrived at the site of the crash, they found the teenager "with no signs of life," Bartow EMS spokesperson Brad Cothran said.

A preliminary review of the collision released by the Georgia State Patrol shows a Dodge Durango "struck the pedestrian from the rear with its left front bumper." The pedestrian, identified as the Adairsville student, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Durango was identified as 31-year-old Nixon Sellers of Adairsville (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app).

The Bartow County School System said Gardner said the senior was known to many as the "Soul of the Adairsville High School Marching Band." Gardner was on his way to Carrollton to attend his final band competition of the year when he was hit by the car. The system cancelled the trip upon learning of the student's passing.

"This is a devastating loss to our band, school and community," said Adairsville High School Principal Bruce Mulkey. "He had an unbelievable spirit. I'll remember that most. If he had a bad day, you would have never known it. He had a smile on his face every time I passed him. Larry's energy and enthusiasm were just as contagious as his smile."

Along with the GoFundMe account, the Bartow County School System said a fund has also been set up at Northside Bank in Adairsville to help the family with any needs related to the teen's sudden death.

Image via Bartow County School System