LaFayette High student killed in Thursday night ATV accident

photo LaFayette (Ga.) High School students on Friday sign a billboard card in one of the school's hallways in memory of Damon Jones, a sophomore at the school who was killed in an ATV accident Thursday night. Principal Mike Culberson said hundreds of students signed the card that will be presented to the family.

A 15-year-old LaFayette High School sophomore was killed Thursday night in an ATV accident off Dunwoody Road in North Georgia's Naomi community.

Damon Lee Jones was killed when he and his passenger, 17-year-old Timothy J. Wallin, of LaFayette, cut through the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church parking lot, crossed Wesley Road and were trying to enter another parking lot when they struck a barrier cable to that lot, Georgia State Patrol spokeswoman Franka Young said.

Jones' passenger was not injured but Jones died of his injuries, Young said. Neither teen was wearing a helmet. The accident report is not complete.

LaFayette High School principal Mike Culberson said Friday that students who knew Jones spent the day remembering him. Hundreds signed a large billboard card hung near the cafeteria to be presented to his mother during visitation at the funeral home.

"The students have handled it better than I expected," Culberson said. "It's sad any time you lose a kid, 15 years old, and I talked to his mom this morning and she's just beside herself."

A moment of silence Friday morning was dedicated to Jones and his family, he said.

"Right at the first of the day, his girlfriend, her group of friends and some of his closest friends came up to our guidance department and had sort of an emotional time together," Culberson said.

Extra counselors were on hand Friday to talk to students, Culberson said. Guidance counselors were responsible for erecting the card for students to sign.

"There's not a white spot left on the card," the principal said.

Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or twitter.com/BenBenton or www.facebook.com/ben.benton1 or 423-757-6569.

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