3 Clarksburg Football Players Killed in Crash Recalled as 'Sweet Spirits'

CLARKSBURG, MD — The three Clarksburg High School students killed when their pickup truck slammed into a tree Tuesday night were “sweet spirits” and members of the school’s football team, their principal said.

Montgomery County Police say Jacob Tyler Dennis, 17, of Boyds and Patrick Andrew Shifflett, 18, of Laytonsville died at the scene. Cary Mauri’ce Greene, 17, of Clarksburg was taken to Suburban Hospital, where he died.

WUSA reports that police believe the teens were headed home from a pre-graduation party when they died. There was no alcohol found at the scene. Graduation was held Wednesday as planned; the crash victims were 11th-graders.

Police told The Washington Post that speed and inexperience contributed to the crash, while alcohol did not appear to play a factor. Driver Dennis had recently received his provisional license; he and his father had rebuilt the pickup. 

“We ask that you remember and celebrate their sweet spirits,” Clarksburg Principal Stephen Whiting said in a letter posted on the school website. “They were hardworking and conscientious students who were good friends and genuinely cared for others. All three were varsity football players who had a love for their team and our community.”

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The accident happened just after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 25300 block of Burnt Hill Road.

According to police, Dennis was driving a 1989 Ford F-250 heading southbound approaching Kingstead Road when the truck left the roadway and struck a tree. Shifflett and Greene were passengers.

The cause of the wreck has not been determined. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 240-773-6620. Callers may remain anonymous.

Here is the full letter from Principal Stephen Whiting:

Dear Clarksburg High School Families,

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the deaths of Jacob Dennis, Cary Greene, and Patrick Shifflett, three of our 11th grade students who were in a car accident on the evening of Tuesday, June 7, 2016.

For those of you who knew Jacob, Cary, and Patrick, we ask that you remember and celebrate their sweet spirits. They were hardworking and conscientious students who were good friends and genuinely cared for others. All three were varsity football players who had a love for their team and our community. For those of you who did not know Jacob, Cary, and Patrick, we ask that you respect our sadness, be understanding and supportive to their friends.

It is very difficult for all of us to face the death of a young person. Today, a support team of psychologists, counselors, and pupil personnel workers from Montgomery County Public Schools will be working with our staff members to provide counseling and support to students. Students who need additional support should contact their counselor.

Your child may be coming home with questions and worries about this loss. Please feel free to contact the school if you need further assistance.

I know that you join me in extending our heartfelt sympathy to the Dennis, Greene, and Shifflett families. When we receive information regarding funeral or memorial arrangements, I will share that information. Again, please do not hesitate to contact the school at 301-444-3000.

Sincerely,

Mr. Stephen C. Whiting

Principal