Spartanburg County, SC — The Dorman High School community is in deep mourning after a devastating car accident claimed the lives of three of its students, shaking the hearts of families, friends, and educators throughout the region. The collision occurred Tuesday in Spartanburg County and involved three vehicles, including a tractor-trailer.
Authorities say the crash happened when a Dodge pickup and a Chevrolet coupe were traveling west on Fairforest Clevedale Road and collided with a tractor-trailer attempting to make a left turn onto Blackstock Road. The impact resulted in catastrophic damage, leaving three young lives cut short and another person injured.
The Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office has identified the victims as 15-year-old Daniel Diaz, 16-year-old Aben Sisk, and 17-year-old Itzel Garcia-Trejo, all beloved students of Dorman High School. One of the teens succumbed to injuries at the hospital, while the other two were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Chevrolet coupe was also injured and is currently recovering.
In an official statement, Spartanburg School District Six expressed profound grief over the tragedy:
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of three of our Dorman High School students, Aben Sisk, Daniel Diaz, and Itzel Garcia-Trejo, who were involved in a fatal car accident. Three lives, full of promise and potential, are gone far too soon. We extend our deepest sympathies to their families, friends, and the entire Dorman High community.”
Each of the students touched their school and community in unique ways:
- Aben Sisk, a 16-year-old sophomore, was known for his quiet strength and gentle heart. Friends describe him as a loyal companion who would do anything to help someone in need. He had a love for sports and dreamed of pursuing a career in physical therapy.
- Itzel Garcia-Trejo, 17, was a senior with a vibrant personality and a bright future ahead. She was involved in school clubs, loved music, and was looking forward to college. Her teachers recall her as a determined, driven student with a radiant smile and kind spirit.
- Daniel Diaz, the youngest of the three at 15, was just beginning his high school journey. Despite his age, he showed maturity beyond his years and carried an infectious enthusiasm for learning. He was close to his family and had a passion for technology and video games.
Counselors and crisis teams have been deployed to Dorman High School to support students, teachers, and families coping with the sudden and overwhelming loss. Vigils are being planned by classmates and community members, and memorials are already taking shape outside the school grounds with flowers, candles, photos, and heartfelt messages.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with the South Carolina Highway Patrol working to determine all contributing factors. No additional information about the status of the tractor-trailer driver or the other vehicle involved has been released at this time.
This tragedy has left an indelible mark on the Spartanburg community. It serves as a painful reminder of how fragile life can be and how deeply a single moment can impact countless lives.
As the families of Aben, Itzel, and Daniel begin to navigate the unimaginable pain of loss, the community stands with them — united in grief, in prayer, and in a shared commitment to honoring the memory of these three beautiful souls.
May they rest in peace, and may their families find comfort and strength in the love surrounding them.