Courtesy of PalmettoSportsImaging
Retraction: In the first version of this article it was stated that the Westwood football and basketball booster clubs would be working alongside Sweet Pea’s Ice Cream for a charity benefit. Due to scheduling conflicts the booster clubs were unable to participate.
The Westwood Redhawks and entire Blythewood community are mourning the death of 16-year old Ellis Hawkins who lost his life March 31 in a multi-vehicle accident that occurred on Wilson Boulevard at Fulmer Road in Blythewood.
Hawkins, a junior at Westwood high, was a restrained rear-seat passenger in a 2005 Saturn, when the Saturn traveled into oncoming traffic and collided with another vehicle.
The collision took place at 6:10 p.m., and Hawkins was transported to Palmetto Health Richland Memorial Hospital, but succumbed to his injuries at 9:21 p.m., according to Richland County Coroner Gary Watts. Watts’ autopsy attributed the cause of death to multiple trauma due to the collision.
Three others were transported to the hospital, but none sustained life threatening injuries.
Westwood principle Dr.Cheryl Guy issued the following statement.
“We are saddened and our hearts are heavy here. Ellis was an 11th grade student and athlete on our varsity football and basketball teams. On behalf of all of the students, teachers and staff at Westwood, I extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the Hawkins family. Ellis will be missed by his friends, teammates and teachers and will always be part of the Redhawk Family,” Guy said.
Ellis was a two-way defensive player who switched between linebacker and defensive end for the Redhawk football team. Dustin Curtis, Hawkins’ head football coach, said that his guys will be playing for Ellis when the football season rolls around. He said he also wanted to thank the Blythewood community for their support during this difficult time.
“We lost a fantastic young man last Thursday. His impact on our Redhawk community was real, and he was a friend to so many. Ellis will continue to be a big part of our team moving forward, and our guys will be playing hard for him. We give many thanks back to the entire Westwood/Blythewood community for all of their support this past week,” Curtis said.
In addition to Hawkins’ exploits on the gridiron, he was also a member of the varsity basketball program, and Redhawks head basketball coach Jeffrey DiBattisto said Hawkins was a hard working young man who had begun to earn himself a leadership position on the team.
“Ellis Hawkins was an unbelievable young man who always had a smile on his face. He was able to connect to anyone he met. He excelled as a basketball player but was an even better person. He was one of our hardest workers and was always trying to get better. He had already begun to take a leadership role on our team as we began workouts this spring. We are going to miss him terribly,” DiBattisto said.
Guy said additional counselors are on campus to help students and school employees.
A candlelight vigil, organized by students and alumni, will be held Friday at 5 p.m. in the Westwood high parking lot. Viewing and visitation will be held Saturday, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the school’s gymnasium, and funeral services will follow at 1 p.m.
Sweet Pea’s Ice Cream Parlor in Blythewood will be hosting a benefit for the Hawkins family at Sweet Pea’s on Saturday, April 15 from 4-7 p.m. Sweet Pea’s is located at 412 McNulty St. Donations and checks may be made payable to Sweet Pea’s with “E45 Donation” in the memo line are being collected through April 22 at the Parlor.
