ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — A deadly accident involving two children in Orangeburg County over the weekend has left two families heartbroken.
On Monday, the Orangeburg County Coroner's Office identified the victims in the collision as 8-year-old Ania Chalk and 16-year-old Jada Fludd, who were cousins.
Family members of both girls described them as inseparable and sharing a special bond.
“It’s just very very sad but they did everything together and actually sad to say they died together,” said Chalk’s grandmother.
The accident happened Saturday on U.S. 601 near Scenic Drive just north of Orangeburg. Highway Patrol says the ATV tried to cross the road and was struck by a 2024 Freightliner truck pulling a trailer.
The driver of the Freightliner was not hurt.
Kareem Fludd is Jada’s brother and Ania’s uncle. He said the loss is hard.
“It felt like my heart is gone as well I just love those girls so much like I had them," Kareem Fludd said. "that’s how I feel about them. There was nothing I wouldn’t do for them both of them, my niece, my sister those my girls I love them.”
Yolanda Johnson is Ania’s grandmother and Jada’s cousin. She said Saturday was meant to be a day of celebration as preparations were underway for Jada’s birthday.
“They were over here Saturday because we were going to celebrate Jada’s 17th birthday at five which is actually tomorrow [Tuesday] and they went shopping and all Saturday and then they came back and got on the four wheeler and that’s when that accident happened,” said Johnson. “But its just so much but in the little time that they were here they lived life.”
A balloon release occurred on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at The First Church of God of Saint Matthews. Their funerals will take place on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Calhoun County High School.