News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Putnam County School System will offer additional counseling services Tuesday after two Cookeville High School students died in a car crash.
Superintendent Jerry Boyd said families have been notified but the names of the teens have not officially been released by authorities at this time.
“I know the families have been notified, that was my main concern that we love and care for the families that will be dealing with this for some time,” Boyd said, “and then preparing to ensure that we provide the necessary supports for all of the students, faculty, staff, and community members that will also be impacted by this terrible tragic event.”
The Tennessee Highway Patrol reports 16-year-old Layton Proffitt and 17-year-old Leigh Anne Eldridge passed away after their vehicle overturned on Pippin Road Friday night.
Boyd said the district is always prepared in the case of an emergency to provide additional counseling for those who need it.
“Even though we always hope we do not have to deal with these types of terrible situations, we do plan and are prepared to provide counseling for especially our students but also our adults,” Boyd said. “Tuesday there will be an increase of social workers and counselors and available individuals to help people work through the grief process.”
Boyd said being able to describe feelings in these situations is always difficult, especially when it comes to younger lives.
“We certainly are deeply saddened by the death of these two students at Cookeville High School,” Boyd said. “Anytime we lose any of our young people, with these two in particular, we’re going to grieve the loss of these two young lives, and we want to be available to support everyone as they go through the grieving process.”
Boyd asks members of the community to keep the teens and their families in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
