HARLEM, GEORGIA — The Harlem community is mourning the death of Kenneth Faile-Hood, 13, an eighth-grade student at Harlem Middle School who died Tuesday night following an e-bike crash in Appling.
According to the Columbia County Coroner’s Office and a crash report, Kenneth was riding an e-bike alone along the shoulder of Harlem-Appling Road near Nature’s Way at approximately 8:15 p.m. when the bicycle’s front tire struck a tree limb lying across the shoulder. The impact caused him to lose control, and the e-bike subsequently struck a guardrail.
Emergency responders arrived and attempted lifesaving measures, but Kenneth did not survive his injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash scene was cleared later that night.
Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Kenneth Faile-Hood |
| Age | 13 |
| School | Harlem Middle School |
| Grade | Eighth grade |
| Location | Appling, Georgia |
| Crash location | Harlem-Appling Road near Nature’s Way |
| Approximate time | 8:15 p.m. Tuesday |
| Vehicle involved | E-bike |
| Crash sequence | Front tire struck a tree limb; e-bike then struck a guardrail |
| Initial response | Emergency responders attempted lifesaving measures |
| Outcome | Pronounced dead at the scene |
| Investigation | Columbia County authorities |
News of Kenneth’s death was communicated to parents and the Harlem Middle School community by Principal Valery Reed. The school acknowledged that an unexpected death can be particularly difficult for young students and encouraged members of the school community to support one another.
The school’s counseling team is available to students through the Learning Commons, providing an opportunity for students to talk about their emotions, seek support and remember their classmate. Families with immediate concerns outside school hours were also directed to the Georgia Crisis & Access Line, which is available through 988.
Kenneth’s death has left classmates, teachers, friends and loved ones grieving a young life lost unexpectedly. Funeral, memorial and visitation arrangements were not available in the reports reviewed and may be announced by his family.