IFN Staff

The North Iredell High School community is mourning the loss of a student-athlete who was fatally injured in a head-on collision in Alexander County over the weekend.

Jacob Elijah Huffman, 17, of Hiddenite died at the scene of a crash on Sharpe Mill Road near Johnson Farm Road about 10:50 a.m. on Saturday, according to the N.C. Highway Patrol. Huffman was operating a 1991 Chevrolet S-10 that crossed the center line and collided head on with a 2000 Ford Ranger, troopers reported. The teen was not wearing a seatbelt.

The driver of the Ranger, Kimberly Smith Bebber, 56, of Taylorsville, was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the NCSHP.

The initial investigation indicates speed and impairment were not contributing factors in the collision. During the on-scene investigation, the roadway was closed in the area for approximately two hours. No charges will be filed in this case.

After Huffman’s death was announced on the RaiderNation Facebook page, North Iredell Principal Diana Jones and other members of the NIHS community offered their prayers and condolences.

“Praying for all of Jacob’s family and everyone that loved him,” Jones posted.

“God gained the most loveable gentle giant he will ever know,” Michelle Williams added. “While we have broken pieces in our heart we know he is sitting at the right hand of the father and talking his ear off.”