A South Carolina community is mourning the loss of a high school student and baseball player who died following a car crash on Tuesday, July 29.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported that the single-vehicle accident occurred around 5 p.m. on Ridgeway Road, near Richardson Boulevard in Kershaw County.
Authorities identified the driver as 16-year-old Caiden Miles McGuff, a student at Camden High School. According to the Kershaw County Coroner, Caiden was behind the wheel of a 2004 Ford pickup truck with a female passenger when the vehicle veered off the left side of the road, struck a phone box, overturned, and crashed into a tree.
Both Caiden and the passenger—whose identity has not been released—were transported to a nearby hospital. Caiden later died from his injuries. The condition of the passenger remains unknown.
The crash is still under investigation.
An obituary published online states that Caiden was a student at Camden High School, where he also played on the baseball team. He is survived by his parents, three brothers, and a sister.
In a statement shared with PEOPLE on Thursday, July 31, Camden High School Principal Rose Montgomery honored Caiden’s memory.
“Caiden was an outstanding student and remarkable athlete who gave his all on the field, and a wonderful friend to so many in our Bulldog family,” Montgomery said.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Caiden’s family and friends during this tough time,” she continued.
“At Camden High, we are truly a family, and we care deeply about all of our students and staff. When a tragic loss like this occurs, it’s very emotional for all of us,” she added. “We understand this news is difficult to process, so we plan to have counselors and social workers available to support our students and staff as long as our community needs them.”
“I know you will join me in keeping Caiden’s family, friends, and teammates in your thoughts and prayers during the difficult days ahead,” Montgomery concluded.
A celebration of Caiden’s life is scheduled for Sunday, August 3.
