Crime
12-year-old Dereon James Robins and 9-year-old Mikhail-Lee Smith killed in Spartanburg County crash
Authorities in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, are investigating a devastating crash that claimed the lives of two young boys Sunday afternoon along Asheville Highway.
According to the Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office, officials were called to the scene of a serious collision near the intersection of Asheville Highway and Brock Street.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported that the incident occurred when a 2016 Honda Accord, occupied by two individuals, traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck two bicyclists who were riding on the eastbound sidewalk.
The victims, identified as 12-year-old Dereon James Robins and 9-year-old Mikhail-Lee Smith, both of Spartanburg, sustained critical injuries.
Emergency responders transported the children to a nearby hospital; however, despite lifesaving efforts, both later succumbed to their injuries.
One child was pronounced deceased at the scene, while the other died after being transported for medical care.
Authorities confirmed that the boys were riding their bicycles on the sidewalk at the time of the crash and were not in the roadway.
Witnesses at the scene, including family members, reportedly attempted to render aid, performing CPR until emergency personnel arrived.
Preliminary findings indicate that the driver of the Honda Accord lost control of the vehicle before leaving the roadway and striking the victims.
Additional information released indicates that excessive speed and possible impairment may have been contributing factors.
The driver has since been identified as Eri Otoniel Roberto Perez, who now faces multiple charges, including two counts of DUI resulting in death and operating a vehicle without a valid license.
Officials have indicated that additional charges may be forthcoming.
A bond hearing is expected as the legal process moves forward.
One occupant of the vehicle was also transported to a hospital. Their condition has not been publicly disclosed.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol continues to lead the investigation into the crash, and officials emphasize that the findings remain preliminary and subject to change as more evidence is gathered.
This tragedy has deeply impacted the Spartanburg community, as two young lives were lost under circumstances that authorities indicate may have been preventable.
Family members, first responders, and residents are mourning the loss, while calls for accountability and justice continue as the investigation progresses.
Crime
Saylor Graham, 7, Fights to Recover After Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting as Teacher Becky Drury Faces Long Recovery
BEND, Oregon — Seven-year-old Saylor Graham is recovering from life-threatening injuries after being shot at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on October 15, 2026. Meanwhile, 54-year-old teacher Becky Drury is beginning a lengthy recovery after suffering gunshot wounds to her left arm and right hand during the deadly school shooting.
The latest updates from the two families offer a glimpse of the difficult road ahead for survivors of a tragedy that claimed the lives of three children and a teacher, leaving families, classmates, and the wider Bend community grieving.
Saylor Graham, described by her family as a loving, feisty girl with a strong determination to thrive, was shot in the jaw during the shooting, according to the information shared by her family and supporters. She was airlifted from Bend for medical treatment.
Her family says the 7-year-old has already faced numerous medical challenges throughout her young life. Now, she is confronting another devastating ordeal, with her parents remaining by her side as she receives treatment and begins the recovery process.
Updates shared about Saylor’s condition have differed. An earlier account described her as being in critical condition, while a later update reported that she was in serious but stable condition. Her latest status should be confirmed with her family or an official source before publication.
For Saylor’s parents, the emotional strain is accompanied by significant financial uncertainty. Both parents are self-employed, and the demands of remaining at the hospital have sharply limited their ability to work. They must also manage medical expenses, transportation, lodging, household bills, and the needs of their other child.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been organized to help Saylor’s family manage the financial pressures arising from her injuries and ongoing treatment.
The fundraiser describes Saylor as a daughter, sister, and niece whose determination has carried her through numerous medical challenges. It explains that the family is facing uncertainty as they remain close to her during recovery.
The appeal states that donations will help cover hospital bills, time away from work, lodging, transportation, and other urgent family expenses.
The fundraiser also asks supporters to keep Saylor and her loved ones in their thoughts and prayers, emphasizing that every contribution and act of kindness can make a difference during this difficult time.
Readers who wish to support Saylor’s recovery can find the fundraiser through the link shared by her family or the original organizer. The campaign details and donation link should be verified before being shared.
Becky Drury, 54, a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School, was also wounded in the shooting. She suffered gunshot injuries to her left arm and right hand and has undergone surgery.
Her husband, Will, shared a hopeful update, saying the operation went well. However, the injuries to her left arm were extensive, and she is expected to require additional procedures and a prolonged recovery.
Despite the difficult road ahead, her husband’s message offered a moment of relief amid the grief surrounding the shooting.
“The good news is she will be ok and we all get to keep that magnificent woman we love so much in our lives,” he said.
His words reflect the gratitude of a family facing a frightening and uncertain recovery while knowing that Becky survived.
The shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School left three children and one teacher dead, according to the information provided in reports about the incident.
Five-year-old Rhoam Summer has been publicly identified among the children killed. Megan Lambert, 25, a teacher also known as “Coach Megan,” was identified as the adult victim. Two other children, ages 8 and 11, were also killed.
Their deaths have left four families facing an unimaginable loss. While Saylor and Becky continue their recoveries, the families of those who died are beginning a different and heartbreaking journey of grief.
The contrast between the survivors’ fight to recover and the families’ permanent loss has become one of the most painful realities of the tragedy.
For Saylor’s family, every update about her condition carries enormous significance. Her parents are navigating the uncertainty of their daughter’s recovery while trying to remain present for her and care for their family.
For Becky Drury’s loved ones, the successful surgery has brought relief, even as further treatment and rehabilitation lie ahead.
Their stories do not erase the devastating loss experienced by the families of the victims. Instead, they highlight the many ways the shooting has changed lives and the long road that survivors and loved ones must now face.
As Bend mourns the children and teacher who did not return home, the community continues to hope for Saylor’s recovery and for Becky to regain her health.
Saylor Graham and Becky Drury are among those still fighting their way forward after the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting. Their families are asking for support, compassion, and privacy as they face the difficult days ahead.