High School Student Who Was 'Always Smiling' Dies After Being Electrocuted in Car Accident
GoFundMe
An Alabama community is mourning a 17-year-old high school student who died after being electrocuted in a car accident earlier this month.
According to a GoFundMe campaign for the family, Auburn High School senior Dylan Pegues hit a telephone pole when his car "ran off the road into a ditch" on June 16.
Pegues was electrocuted during the accident and was life-flighted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham to treat his injuries, according to the fundraiser page.
Pegues' family believes he may have come into contact with a powerline while stepping out of the car, according to ABC affiliate WTVM. The teenager later died of his injuries, the news station said. The family will hold a memorial in his honor on Friday.
"For those of you who have not had the pleasure to meet this incredible boy, Dylan has always had such a bright spirit about him," GoFundMe organizers wrote in a description on the campaign page.
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"Always smiling, always laughing," organizers continued. "Dylan is the definition of kind. He always goes out of his way to show compassion and love to anyone and everyone."
While still in high school, Pegues had started his own business, Pegues Photography, which specialized in portraits and wedding photography.
"Dylan was born with the gift of creativity and talent," organizers said. "Even at such a young age, Dylan took his passion [for] photography and created his own business, Pegues Photography."
"[He] is the most hardworking and determined 17-year-old you will ever meet," they added.
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The donation page has raised more than $55,000 as of Thursday afternoon.
A flyer for Pegues' memorial asks guests not to wear black to the event as the family hopes to celebrate his "extraordinary life."
"We are celebrating his amazing 17 years," family members said. "White and sky blue [will be the colors worn] as [Dylan] is flying high."
