Sylacauga teen dies in Coosa County ATV crash
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
A Sylacauga teenager was killed in a single-vehicle crash involving an all-terrain vehicle, or ATV, in Coosa County last week.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the crash occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. June 1, on Pelican Lane in Coosa County, approximately 11 miles southwest of Sylacauga.
Jacey Brighton Clary, 17 years old, was a passenger on a 2017 Polaris Razor ATV driven by 19-year-old Taylor L. Thomas, also of Sylacauga. Clary was seriously injured when the ATV left the roadway and struck a tree before overturning.
According to ALEA’s report, neither Thomas nor Clary were utilizing seat belts and were ejected from the ATV.
Both were transported to Coosa Valley Medical Center in Sylacauga with injuries, and Clary was later transported to UAB Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries on June 2.
Known as Brighton, Clary was a student at Sylacauga High School and would have been entering her senior year following summer break. She played varsity volleyball and varsity softball for the Sylacauga Aggies.
Clary was born on March 15, 2005, to Tara Gardner Lawhorn and Jason Clary. It was said that her name suited her because she “was a bright light that lit up a room.”
She is survived by her parents; younger brother, Jett Clary; two stepsisters, Saylor Lawhorn and Whitlee Windham; stepbrother Jon Sawyer Lawhorn; grandparents, Wendy Walker Pate, Adam and Daphne Green Gardner and Ricky and Sheila Bryant Clary; great-grandparents, James and Betty Bryant; uncles, Blake Gardner, Cody Pate, Dalton Pate, and Cason Gardner; aunt, Brooke Clary; and other extended family and friends.
A candlelight vigil was held for Clary last Friday evening on the Sylacauga Aggies softball field. A celebration of her life was held Wednesday, June 8, at the Sylacauga High School auditorium.
In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to the Sylacauga High School Volleyball or Softball Booster clubs.
In her obituary it was noted that her family would like to thank the entire community for its outpouring of support, love and prayers during this difficult time.
It noted, “Seeing and hearing stories about the impact their beloved Brighton had on the community has given the family a sense of calmness, peace, happiness, joy, and a glimpse of hope as they navigate life here on earth until the day they see their daughter again. A special thanks to Coosa Valley Medical Center and UAB staff, nurses and doctors, as well as the Coosa County Fire and Rescue Squad and all first responders. The family expresses its sincerest gratitude to every person, media outlet and business that has honored their beautiful girl.”