Tragic Loss: Carolina Academy Student Aden Jumper Killed in Florence County Crash
Florence County, S.C. — The Carolina Academy community is mourning the tragic loss of one of its own, Aden Jumper, a rising senior who was killed in a traffic collision earlier this week near Sumter, South Carolina.
The heartbreaking news was confirmed by family members and school officials on Sunday morning. His aunt, Wanda Martin Byrd, shared a deeply personal message on Facebook:
“Please say a prayer for our family. My nephew was in a fatal accident this morning. 2025 has not been a good year for our family. Fly high, Aden Jumper. Aunt Wanda loves you.”
Aden, a proud Bobcat and well-loved member of the student body at Carolina Academy in Lake City, was known for his bright spirit, athletic passion, and the joy he brought into every room.
In a public statement, The Carolina Academy shared:
“It is with much sadness to share this, but there was an accident earlier today that claimed the life of one of our students, Aden Jumper. Aden was a rising senior this year and a beloved Bobcat. Our hearts are broken as we mourn the loss of our outgoing and loving student, classmate, teammate, and friend.”
The loss has deeply affected not only Aden’s immediate community but also schools he previously attended. Laurence Manning Academy, where Aden was once enrolled, offered their condolences:
“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Aden Jumper… He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.”
The tragedy comes amid a summer already marked by sorrow for South Carolina’s high school communities. Thomas Sumter Academy also acknowledged the loss of two young lives — Aden Jumper and Caiden McGuff of Camden High School — in separate recent accidents.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends, and school communities during this incredibly difficult time,” the school shared.
Community reactions have been swift and heartfelt. Students, parents, and educators have taken to social media to express their sorrow and share memories of Aden’s kindness, leadership, and contagious laughter.
One Carolina Academy teammate, who asked to remain anonymous, said:
“Aden was the kind of guy who always made people feel included. He never let anyone sit alone.”
While the full details surrounding the collision have not yet been released by authorities, the emotional toll is already clear. Schools are now preparing grief counseling resources and memorial activities ahead of the fall semester.
Aden Jumper’s passing is a tragic reminder of how fragile life can be — especially for young people with their futures just beginning to unfold. His memory lives on in the hearts of those who knew him, and his loss is a shared sorrow across school communities in Lake City, Florence County, and beyond.
