Tony Junious, the first Black mayor of the South Carolina town of Summerton, was killed in a car crash over the weekend. According to WIS, the South Carolina Highway Patrol said the fatal crash occurred in Clarendon County on Saturday morning.
Authorities said a Chevy Impala and a Dodge Charger collided at the intersection of Governor Richardson Road and Liberty Hill, adding that both drivers were taken to the hospital in the wake of the crash.
The driver of the Chevy, however, later succumbed to his injuries. “The Town of Summerton is shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of our beloved Mayor,” the Town of Summerton said in a statement on Facebook. “Mayor Tony Junious’s life was dedicated to public service and his love for the Town of Summerton was constantly on display. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Junious family during this difficult time.”
Prior to assuming the helm as mayor, Junious worked on many Clarendon County School Boards. The Clarendon County School District in a statement said that the deceased 48-year-old supported many programs that bettered the lives of students and education in the district.
“His legacy will continue to inspire current and future generations within Clarendon County Schools,” the statement said. “We hope that all of his hard work in our schools and the city of Summerton will assist in catapulting the ideas of continuous improvement through economic growth projects and educational excellence.”
The Clarendon County School District said Junious also served as a mentor to students, volunteered at school events, awarded scholarships, and paid for dinners for Scott’s Branch High School seniors, WIS reported.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of Mayor Junious, who was a valued member of our school board and a cherished pillar in our educational community. His dedication to our schools, commitment to educational excellence, and passion for student success were unparalleled. Likewise, the impact on our district and the lives of those he touched will be felt for many years to come,” Clarendon County School District Superintendent, Shawn Johnson, said in a statement.
“We have lost a remarkable individual, but his legacy will continue to inspire us all through the completion of projects he fought for in the Summerton community. Our hearts go out to his family during this difficult time.”
