15-year-old dies after suspected drunken driver crashes into church van, troopers say

HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WANF/Gray News) - A 15-year-old boy who was put on life support after a suspected drunken driver crashed into a church van in Georgia has died.

Theodore “Teddy” Bone died at Egleston Hospital in Atlanta four days after the crash happened while the church van was traveling through Habersham County, WANF reports.

According to Georgia State Patrol troopers, a Toyota 4Runner was driving east on Demorest Mount Airy Highway and ran a red light at the intersection with State Route 365 around 1:40 p.m. Saturday.

The 4Runner, driven by Barry Clark, collided with the van that was carrying Teddy and at least four other children. Clark was charged with driving under the influence.

Following the crash, Teddy was put on life support after receiving “severe brain damage,” according to an online fundraiser. He was pronounced dead Wednesday just after midnight.

Isaac Weathers, the organizer of the fundraiser, described the 15-year-old as “vibrant and full of life” with an infectious laugh and boundless energy.

“We grieve that Teddy is no longer with us. We rejoice knowing that he is now in Heaven with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are looking forward to one day being reunited with our sweet baby Teddy,” Weathers wrote.

Teddy’s family decided his organs will be donated, according to Weathers.

“So, while Teddy’s spirit is no longer here on Earth with us, his physical body can continue to bring life, love and joy to others,” Weathers wrote.

Friends say Teddy’s “dreams were as big as his heart – including dreaming of one day playing college basketball.” He was the youngest of 10 siblings.

The GoFundMe set up to help Teddy’s family with medical bills and other expenses has raised more than $60,000.

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