Ella Jenkins Killed in Laurens County Crash

Ella Grace Jenkins, an 18-year-old from Gray in Jones County, Georgia, was killed Sunday night in a three-vehicle crash in Laurens County, according to the Georgia State Patrol. Jenkins was a passenger in a Chevrolet Colorado that became involved in a collision at the intersection of U.S. 441 South and Springhaven Road.

Jenkins was a recent graduate of Jones County High School and had begun her freshman year at Brewton-Parker Christian University in Mount Vernon, where she was a member of the Lady Barons softball team. Her death has prompted messages of remembrance from both schools and members of the softball community.

Latest Update: September 29, 2026

As of September 29, 2026, the Georgia State Patrol investigation into the fatal Laurens County wreck remains active. Troopers from Post 20 in Dublin responded to the crash at about 8:29 p.m. Sunday, September 27, at U.S. 441 South and Springhaven Road. The GSP Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team also responded to assist with the investigation.

Authorities say the preliminary investigation found that a 2020 Chevrolet Colorado was traveling east on Springhaven Road when it entered U.S. 441 and struck the left side of a flatbed trailer being pulled by a 1995 Peterbilt 379. The pickup then rotated into another lane and collided with a 2015 Chevrolet Camaro.

Jenkins was the front-seat passenger in the Colorado. She was ejected during the crash and suffered fatal injuries. According to Laurens County Deputy Coroner Nathan Stanley, Jenkins was taken to Fairview Park Hospital and was pronounced dead by an emergency room doctor at 9:02 p.m. Sunday.

Authorities have not announced whether criminal charges will result from the collision. WSB-TV reported that the condition of the Colorado’s driver had not been released, while other reports identified the drivers involved. The investigation is continuing.

What Happened in the Laurens County Crash?

The crash happened shortly after 8:20 p.m. on September 27 at the intersection of U.S. 441 South and Springhaven Road. GSP’s preliminary account says the Chevrolet Colorado was traveling east on Springhaven Road and entered the intersection without stopping.

The Colorado struck the left side of a flatbed trailer attached to a 1995 Peterbilt 379 that was traveling north on U.S. 441. The force of the initial collision caused the pickup to rotate and move north in the southbound lane.

The pickup subsequently struck the front of a 2015 Chevrolet Camaro traveling south on U.S. 441. This created a three-vehicle crash involving the Colorado, the Peterbilt and the Camaro.

Jenkins was riding in the Colorado when the collisions occurred. GSP said she was ejected from the pickup and suffered fatal injuries. Her next of kin was notified, according to 41NBC.

Who Was Ella Jenkins?

Ella Grace Jenkins was an 18-year-old from Gray, a community in Jones County, Georgia. She was a member of Jones County High School’s Class of 2026 and had recently moved into the next stage of her education as a college student and athlete.

Jones County High School publicly remembered Jenkins as a member of the school community, highlighting her connections as a classmate, softball teammate and friend. The school also extended its condolences to her family, friends, classmates, teammates, teachers and coaches.

Her death came only months after her high school graduation. By the fall of 2026, Jenkins had started college and was continuing to play softball, making the loss especially significant for the school and athletic communities that had known her.

Ella Jenkins at Brewton-Parker Christian University

Jenkins was a freshman at Brewton-Parker Christian University in Mount Vernon, Georgia. She played softball for the Lady Barons, according to the university and multiple news reports.

Brewton-Parker confirmed her death in a statement released Monday morning. The university asked students, friends and supporters to pray for Jenkins’ family and everyone affected by the loss. The school also referred to the Christian faith as a source of comfort during the period of mourning.

For Jenkins’ teammates, the news represented the sudden loss of a young athlete who had only recently begun her college career. The university’s statement specifically recognized her family, friends, softball teammates and classmates as people grieving her death.

Jones County High School Remembers Ella Jenkins

Jenkins’ connection to Jones County High School remained a central part of the community’s response. The school identified her as a member of the Class of 2026 and remembered her as part of its Greyhound family.

The school’s tribute emphasized the different relationships Jenkins had within the community, including her role as a student, softball teammate and friend. The message also offered support to teachers and coaches who had known her during her time at the school.

Her death has therefore affected two educational communities: the Jones County school community where she completed high school and Brewton-Parker, where she had begun her freshman year.

Who Was Driving the Vehicles?

The preliminary GSP investigation identified the driver of the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado as 18-year-old Kuper Knowles of Macon. The Peterbilt 379 pulling the flatbed trailer was driven by Chandler Clay Stuckey of Rhine. The 2015 Chevrolet Camaro was driven by Edie Evette Daniel of Rentz, according to The Courier Herald’s report on the GSP investigation.

Those identifications describe the people operating the vehicles involved in the collision. They should not be interpreted as a final determination of criminal or civil responsibility. The investigation remains ongoing, and available reports do not indicate that charges had been announced as of September 29.

Was Anyone Else Injured?

Available reports have not provided a complete account of the medical condition of everyone involved. WSB-TV reported that the condition of the Colorado’s driver had not been released at the time of its September 28 report.

Because the investigation was still active, details about injuries, treatment and the circumstances of the other drivers should be updated only when confirmed by authorities or reliable local reporting.

Investigation Into the Crash

Georgia State Patrol’s Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team responded to the scene. Investigators are working to document how the three vehicles collided and determine the circumstances surrounding the fatal wreck.

U.S. 441 was closed for approximately two and a half hours while investigators worked at the crash scene and crews cleared the roadway. The closure affected the highway around the intersection while the investigation and cleanup were underway.

At this stage, the available reports describe the collision as a preliminary investigation. No final determination about potential charges or legal responsibility has been reported. Further information could be released as GSP completes its investigation.

Ella Jenkins Obituary Information

As of September 29, 2026, public reports confirm Jenkins’ identity, age, hometown, school background and role as a college softball player. A full family obituary containing additional personal information and funeral arrangements had not been located in the sources reviewed for this report.

Readers should therefore rely on the Jenkins family, Jones County High School, Brewton-Parker Christian University or an authorized funeral-home notice for information about visitation, funeral services or memorial arrangements if and when those details are released.

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Wrap-Up

The death of Ella Grace Jenkins has left the Jones County and Brewton-Parker communities mourning an 18-year-old whose transition from high school graduate to college athlete was cut short by a fatal highway collision. She was remembered by Jones County High School as a classmate, softball teammate and friend, while Brewton-Parker identified her as a member of its freshman softball team.

The fatal crash happened Sunday evening at U.S. 441 South and Springhaven Road in Laurens County. According to the preliminary Georgia State Patrol investigation, three vehicles became involved after a Chevrolet Colorado struck a flatbed trailer and then collided with a Chevrolet Camaro. Jenkins, who was riding in the Colorado, was ejected and suffered fatal injuries.

The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not announced a final determination regarding potential charges, and additional information may become available as the Georgia State Patrol’s Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team completes its work.

For now, Jenkins is being remembered by the schools, teammates, classmates and friends who knew her. Her death has brought together the Gray and Jones County community with the Brewton-Parker campus and softball community in mourning.