Cleveland County Community Honors Two Students Killed In Crash With Balloon Release

CLEVELAND COUNTY, N.C. — A community came together Wednesday to celebrate the lives of two local teens. The teens were killed in a car crash a week ago, right outside their school.

Hundreds gathered outside of Burns High School in Cleveland County with balloons in hand. Family, friends, classmates and more showed up to pay their respects to Dequavious Hopper and Jaelyn Abraham. The two teens tragically lost their lives just a week ago when their car was hit by a truck while leaving school.

Britney London helped to organize the balloon release. London is the sister of Dequavious Hopper and aunt to Jaelyn Abraham. London said she organized the event to bring relief to the her family as well as the many classmates and teachers who knew and loved her brother and nephew.

“We all are grieving like we all are mourning,” London said. “It’s just not just the family. It’s still, you know, just our community.”

Hopper would have turned 18-years-old today. Many brought balloons covered in birthday messages and wore the color green which was Hopper’s favorite color. After the balloons were released, the large crowd sang happy birthday in honor of Hopper.

X’zavier Sanders, who was in the front seat of the car with Hopper when it was hit, also showed up to the balloon release. Sanders was just released from the hospital Wednesday and attended the event with bandages still on his face. Some say his presence gave hope.

“It just lets you know that prayer works no matter what we see or how we’re mourning now or how hurt we are,” London said.

Family members now plan to push for a stop light to be built at the intersection where the deadly crash happened. Several relatives said they’ve wrecked there or know someone who has.

According to students, some days there is a crossing guard who will help control traffic. There was no one directing cars during the balloon release.