West student dies of injuries from wreck

A West Forsyth High School student has died of what authorities said were traumatic injuries suffered Wednesday morning in a two-vehicle collision in northwestern Forsyth.

Forsyth County Sheriff's Capt. Frank Huggins said the family of 16-year-old Kaleb Payne took him off life support at an Atlanta hospital this afternoon.

Payne was driving a 1994 Ford Mustang that collided with a 2000 F350 at Heardsville and Watson roads about 7:45 a.m. Wednesday.

As of lunchtime today, Payne was listed in critical condition at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta.

Jennifer Caracciolo, a spokeswoman for the Forsyth County school system, had declined earlier to release the student's name.

Caracciolo did say, however, that the student transferred to West as a sophomore last year from South Forsyth High School, which he had attended as a freshman. She said the student participated in drama and chorus.

Students at West said the student was a junior whose parents both work for the school district.

Carracciolo said West Principal Richard Gill has spoken with faculty and staff about the severity of the incident.

"He let them know that the counselors are available for them and their students and encouraged them to communicate that to the students," she said.

The driver of the truck, 43-year-old Timmy Millwood, said he was northbound on Heardsville when the teen, traveling south, attempted to turn left from Heardsville onto Watson. Their vehicles collided.

Earlier today, Huggins said the youth had turned 16 over the summer and had a provisional driver's license.

According to state law, provisional licenses are issued to drivers who are at least 16 and have held a driver's permit for at least a year, among other requirements.

Forsyth County Fire Capt. Jason Shivers said previously that the teen was unconscious when emergency personnel arrived. They had to cut the roof off of the Mustang to remove him.

The teen was flown to Grady, where authorities said he underwent surgery for head and internal injuries.

Staff Writer Jennifer Sami contributed to this report.