‘Beautiful, energetic’ cheerleader dies in crash on fourth day of school, GA cops say
A high school cheerleader was killed in a car crash on her fourth day back at school, Georgia cops say.
Jer’Mya Eleby, 17, was driving on the morning of Aug. 4 when another vehicle pulled out in front of her, deputies said. She swerved to avoid hitting the vehicle and went off the road and into a creek, the Upson County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. She died at the scene.
Eleby, of Yatesville, had just started her senior year at Upson-Lee High School, where she was on the cheer team. She also worked as a lifeguard at the Thomaston-Upson Civic Center.
“The untimely departure of our beloved Jer’Mya Eleby has left us in profound sorrow, and we are struggling to comprehend and cope with this heartbreaking loss,” family members wrote in a GoFundMe created to help with expenses.
Teachers and friends are mourning her loss, as well.
“I have been so blessed to have JerMya in my homeroom the past three years,” Jan Duke, a math teacher at the high school, wrote on Facebook. “She was a beautiful, energetic young lady who made everyone smile. I will miss her so much, but I am grateful that I was given the opportunity to know her.”
Eleby’s cheer coach, Charlee English, asked that the community pray for her and the rest of the team.
“I’ve had the pleasure of coaching JerMya since she was in 8th grade,” English wrote. “If you know me, you know this group of seniors are my entire heart. I’m not sure how we are going to do it, but we are going to figure it out and do it for JerMya.”
Upson-Lee’s cheer team posted photos of a tribute to Eleby with the hashtag #doitformya.
One teammate wrote on Instagram, “forever my angel girl. i love you forever mya.”
Thomaston-Upson Schools in a Facebook post asked people to keep her family in their thoughts and prayers.
“This loss is devastating to us, and our hearts go out to the family, friends, faculty, and staff members who knew and loved this student,” the school district wrote.
The school year started Aug. 1, according to the high school’s website.
The Georgia State Patrol is investigating, deputies said.
Upson County is about 70 miles south of Atlanta.
This story was originally published August 8, 2023 at 6:47 PM with the headline "‘Beautiful, energetic’ cheerleader dies in crash on fourth day of school, GA cops say."