Taariq Connor dies in fatal Jefferson car crash
Fatal Jefferson car crash death of Taariq Connor
A devastating collision near the point marked 24 along a Jefferson road Thursday evening has led to the death of 18-year-old Taariq Connor. Connor, previously a student at Watson Chapel High School and now a member of the Philander Smith University baseball team, lost his life in the incident.
Officials from Jefferson County confirmed the tragic passing to Deltaplex News on Friday morning. Additional details about the crash were provided by local authorities.
The head coach of the Philander Smith baseball team, Kelvin Battles, shared his profound sorrow over the loss. In a statement released through an online link, he expressed deep pain regarding the event involving two of his players: “Earlier last night, I received a call that no coach or parent should ever face. Two of my baseball players were caught up in a car accident. Regrettably, one did not survive, while the other is hospitalized and expected to require an extensive recovery period. In consideration of the families, I won’t be sharing names, but I’m appealing for prayers on behalf of my players, their families, and the Philander Smith community during this exceptionally challenging time.”
Further official information identified the deceased as Taariq Connor, an 18-year-old first-year student from Pine Bluff. He had been recruited to join Coach Battles’ team directly from his time at Watson Chapel High School.
