Kencerio Deontae Walker & Nykeria Laniya Johnson, Swainsboro High School graduates killed in Tree Crash along with father of boyfriend as Burke County, Georgia authorities now investigate.
Two teens, a boyfriend and girlfriend who had just graduated from a Georgia area high school were killed after a falling tree crushed their vehicle over the weekend.
Kencerio Walker and Nykeria Laniya Johnson, recent graduates of Swainsboro High School along with Kencerio’s father, James Walker, were found deceased following reports of a tree falling and striking two vehicles in Burke County, Saturday night.
The crash happened around 9:05 p.m. Saturday, May 23, on Highway 56 South, about a half-mile south of Pine Hill Church Road, after the tree falling on two traveling vehicles, and blocking both lanes of traffic, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office said.
An 18-year-old driving a Jeep Cherokee survived with minor injuries, but a Ford Taurus on the opposite side of the fallen tree which was carrying the graduating couple and parent was destroyed, deputies said according to the Augusta Press.
Family members said the trio had been returning from Augusta after celebrating the young couple’s graduation.
News of the tragedy led to heart felt responses on social media.
Posted Swainsboro High School in part: ‘It is with extremely heavy hearts that we share the tragic passing of two of our most recent graduates from the Class of 2026, Nykeria Laniya Johnson and Kencerio Deontae Walker. The two were involved in a devastating accident last night that also claimed the life of a family member who was a former employee of Swainsboro High School.
Robert Johnson shared an image of Mr. Walker with the graduates, writing: ‘These two wonderful kids just graduated Thursday night. This hurt so deeply. To everyone, stay prayed up and love your family while you can.’
A candlelight vigil for the three which had been scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Swainsboro High School had to be re-scheduled for later this week on account of ‘bad weather.’
Authorities had yet to say what led to the tree falling onto the road as they continue to investigate.
