Teen killed in crash

JASPER COUNTY - by Mike Lout - A seventeen year old resident of Jasper has died as the result of the injuries he received in a single vehicle auto accident that apparently occurred sometime overnight on County Road 064 near the Ebenezer Community in northwest Jasper County.

Ben Clayton Stagg was pronounced dead shortly after 8:00 by Jasper County Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Ronnie Billingsly.

State Trooper Eric Malone said that it was unclear when the accident occurred. He said a 2000 Chevrolet Lumina, driven by Stagg, left the road and that the deceased, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was thrown from the vehicle.

The vehicle and its driver were discovered shortly after 7:00 am by a passing motorist, who called emergency crews to the scene. The teen was taken by ambulance to Christus Jasper Memorial Hospital where efforts to save his life were unsuccessful.