Families are mourning the loss of a 39-year-old man and 17-year-old boy, who died on Monday (August 14) morning in Person County, North Carolina. The Sheriff’s Department is describing the incident – which ended with the son’s father being arrested for second-degree murder – as a ‘first’ for the department.
It all started on Monday morning at around 6:30 in the morning. Chad Woods, 41, and his 17-year-old son were walking walking back to their home after running out of gas when Jeffrey McKay, a supposed 39-year-old Department of Corrections employee, accidentally struck and killed the teen with his truck.
McKay immediately stopped and exited the truck to check on the 17-year-old before calling 911 to send an ambulance. First responders arrived on the scene shortly after and were quick to pronounce the teen dead, but his body wasn’t the only body they found on the side of the road – they also found McKay’s.
RELATED: Boy From Chula Vista, Josiah Toleafoa, Killed By Car in Parking Lot of Play City on 3rd Birthday
Chad Woods was understandably upset after witnessing his son get struck by a vehicle, but the incident only grew worse after the 911 call was placed. According to the police report, Woods pulled out a gun and shot the 39-year-old before tossing the gun in a nearby pond and driving to his house in McKay’s truck.
The minor was pronounced dead at the scene, while McKay was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Once the teen was identified, police officers tracked the father down and found him – along with the truck that struck the teen – at his residence, which was less than one mile away from the scene of the crime.
Woods was arrested in Person County, NC and charged with second-degree murder and larceny of a motor vehicle. As of right now, he’s being held in jail and his next court date is scheduled for August 21. A vigil for Chad Woods Jr. (the 17-year-old son) is being held at Palace Pointe at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
“This is kind of a first. I’ve been to people struck by cars and I’ve been to shootings, but I haven’t ever had this happen at the same time. Sad situation all around, for all the families,” Sgt. Kevin Morris of the Person County Sherriff’s Department said of the tragedy. We extend our condolences to those involved.
Person County Mourning the Loss of Two Community Members
In an interview with ABC11, Chad Woods Jr.’s brother – who not only lost his brother, but now has a father in jail – described the 17-year-old as a ‘real good person’ who had dreams of being an IT technician one day. “He wanted to be positive in life. He wanted to help people. He was a people person,” he said.
Chad Woods’ father, Lawrence Clayborne, also spoke with ABC11 and described the 41-year-old as ‘out of it’ once McKay hit his son with a truck. “He was just out of it, going off and stuff. He was going, ‘He just he killed my son. He killed my son,'” Clayborne said. It was a tragedy on so many different levels.
The virgil for Chad Woods Jr. is being held at Palace Pointe – a place where the father-son duo both worked until recently. Managers at the family fun center said they viewed Chad Woods and his son as family and admitted the two were always together – making the catastrophe that much more tragic.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Groom Speaks Out After His Bride Killed Moments After Saying ‘I Do’ For the First Time
“We consider them as family. You know, so they become one of us,” one of the managers – Hezekiah Evans – said of the incident. “They were always, always together. It’s very tragic for the families, for both families.” Nearby neighbors and other community members were shaken once the news went viral.
Mamas Uncut is THE online place for moms. We cover the latest about motherhood, parenting, and entertainment as well – all with a mom-focused twist. So if you're looking for parenting advice from real parents, we have plenty of it, all for moms from moms, and also experts. Because, at the end of the day, our mission is focused solely on empowering moms and moms-to-be with the knowledge and answers they’re looking for in one safe space.