Family, Friends Prepare for Funeral of 11-Year-Old Killed in Smithfield School Accident

Posted 11:00 a.m. Mar 23, 2000 — Updated 11:00 a.m. Mar 23, 2000

SMITHFIELD — An 11-year-old boy killed in front of his school earlier this week will be laid to rest today.

Funeral services for Byrone Murray will be held at Wilson's Mills Christian Church at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the Murray family is asking that donations be made to the church. Donations can be sent to:Wilson's Mills Christian ChurchP.O. Box 247Wilson's Mills, NC 27593

A memorial fund has also been established for Byrone. Funds can be sent to:Butch ScottBB&T in ClaytonP.O. Box 729Clayton, NC 27520

Investigators are still trying to determine what caused the accident atSmithfield Middle School.

They are not sure yet whether 84-year-old Sara Bell Kennedy accidentally accelerated while in reverse or whether a mechanical defect was responsible for the accident that killed Byrone and injured six other students.

As of 7 a.m. Friday, three other students remain hospitalized.

Blake Creech, 11, is in fair condition at UNC Hospitals.

Kenneth Frazier, 12, is in critical condition at UNC Hospitals.

Antwon Patterson, 11, is in stable condition at Johnston Memorial Hospital.Three other students were treated and released from the hospital shortly after the accident.

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