Teen Accident Victim Making Progress Toward Recovery

CANTON, GA — A Creekview High School student who remains hospitalized following a single-vehicle accident that killed a classmate and hurt two other teenagers last week in Cherokee County continues to recover from his injuries.

Chase Burr, 17, hit a milestone on Monday, as he has taken out of the intensive care unit and moved to a regular room at an area hospital, the Creekview High School Track & Field Team said on its Facebook page.

The Nov. 27 accident has rocked the Creekview High School community, as it not only injured Burr and two other students, but killed classmate and senior Stevie Smith, 17. Cherokee Sheriff's Office spokesperson Jay Baker said the crash occurred around 2 p.m. when a red 2003 Infiniti G35 left the roadway and crashed into tree on Old Orange Mill Road near Ga. 20.

The driver of the vehicle, 17-year-old Yann "Fred" Engamba, and a 15-year-old passenger also suffered injuries, but were treated and released from the hospital. Engamba has been charged with vehicular homicide in the first degree, serious injury by vehicle, reckless driving and failure to maintain lane in connection to the accident.

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According to the Burr Family Fund GoFundMe page, Burr is expected to remain in the hospital for at least a couple of weeks. Page organizer Glenn Braselton said Burr suffered a cut to his head, a neck injury, swelling and bruising on his lungs and spinal cord.

Money raised by the campaign will help the teenager's family pay for medical expenses related to the sudden injury and hospitalization. Organizers hope to raise $15,000 for the family and as of Monday, Dec. 3, a little more than $9,000 has been contributed to the cause.

"We are all hopeful for a full recovery but only time will tell," Braselton added. "Please keep the Burr family in your thoughts and prayers during this time of need. As with everything, there is always a financial burden. Our goal is to remove that burden so the Burr family can concentrate on their healing and recovery. No donation is too small. Thank you in advance for your support and prayers."

The funeral service for Stevie Smith will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4 at Revolution Church at 125 Union Hill Trail in Canton. He is survived by parents, Stephen and Barbara Meeks Smith; sisters, Stephanie, Kayla and Natalie Smith; grandmother, Mildred Smith; aunts, Bonita and Wandalyn Smith; uncles Paul Meeks, Darrell and Greg Summers and Tischen Franklin; cousins, Dashaun Singleton, Ebony and Justin Isaac, Malik and Zyndell Meeks and numerous others.

According to Smith's obituary, he excelled at Creekview and received many honors. An "avid gamer," Smith also loved cars and music and hoped to become an engineer. He was a member of the Creekview Youth Track and Field team and was an "excellent" long and triple jumper. Smith was also a member of Major Impact Track and Field and Creekview High School Track and Field team.

You can also make donations to the Stevie Smith Memorial Fund to help the family pay for funeral expenses.

Photo: Chase Burr. Credit: Michelle Thomas Photography