Makeshift memorial marks
area where car hit crowd
Published June 19, 2007
By Brant Sappington
Staff Writer

SELMER, Tenn. -- Candles, flowers, pictures and letters now mark the spot where what was supposed to be a weekend of fun instead turned into a deadly tragedy.

A makeshift memorial has sprung up on Mulberry Avenue where a drag-racing car lost control Saturday while doing a burnout and plowed into the crowd lining the street to watch the traditional highlight of the annual Cars for Kids event. People have left candles, letters and flowers, along with numerous other personal mementoes in remembrance of the victims at the site.

On Sunday evening, hundreds gathered at the nearby Selmer City Park for a candlelight vigil to remember those who died and pray for those who were injured. The vigil brought people from all walks of life together to try to cope with the tragedy.

“It was just a cross section of people, united in one form of grief,” said Daily Corinthian News Editor Kim Jobe who attended the service.

She saw fathers and sons, mothers and daughters as well as people who were there alone. All were trying to comfort each other, she said.

Jobe said the most touching moment came as she stood across the street from the park and could hear the crowd quietly singing “Amazing Grace.”
The Tennessee Highway Patrol has now confirmed six deaths and 20 injuries stemming from the Saturday crash.

Those killed were:

• Raven Griswell, 15, of Finger, a student at McNairy Central High School, who died at the scene.

• Nicole Griswell, 18, of Finger. The sister of Raven Griswell, who died Sunday at The Med in Memphis, Tenn.

• Sean Michael Driskill, 22, of Adamsville, who died at the scene. His wife, Amy Driskill was injured.

• Brooke Lauren Pope, 20, who died at McNairy Regional Medical Center. She was a student at Blue Mountain College and a member of Lakeview Baptist Church. Funeral services for Pope will be held at 1 p.m. today at Lakeview Baptist Church in Selmer.

• Scarlet Replogle, 15, of Selmer, a student at McNairy Central High School and a member of West Jackson Baptist Church and Ramer Baptist Church who died at McNairy Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Shackelford Funeral Home in Selmer.

• Kimberly Ann Barfield, 17, of Adamsville who died at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. Funeral services are set for 3 p.m. Wednesday at Shackelford Funeral Home.
Dozens were injured in the crash. Below is a list of those hurt, where they were treated or are being cared for and their status as of Monday afternoon.
At Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville:

• Jason Mullins, 17, of Stantonville was treated and released.

• Jeannie Townsend, 27, of Selmer was listed in critical but stable condition Monday afternoon.

• Rodger B. Pitchford, 18, of Bethel Springs was listed in stable condition Monday afternoon.

• Ginny B. King, 15, of Selmer was listed in critical condition Monday afternoon.

• Selina Kennedy, 15, of Selmer, was listed in stable condition Monday afternoon.

• Shane Smith, 19, of Selmer, was in surgery Monday afternoon. No further information on his condition was available.
At Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tenn.:

• Brenda F. Taylor, 46, of Selmer was treated and released.

• Aeriel K. Hickman, 15, of Selmer was discharged Monday afternoon.

• Christopher Mettlen, 19, of Selmer. No information was available on his condition.

• Codye J. Tomaszewski, 20, of Selmer was discharged Monday morning.

• Michael Bishop, 20, was listed in stable condition Monday afternoon.
At The Med in Memphis:

• Thomas Bernard was listed in serious condition Monday afternoon.

• Sheila Sisk was listed in critical condition Monday afternoon.

• Amy Driskill was listed in good condition Monday afternoon.
At Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth:

• Phillip Spence and Rouge-Jet Cloud were both treated and released.
No condition information could be obtained for Michael Smith, 43, of Selmer, Cindy Stevens, 17, of Selmer, Tiffany Stone of Michie and Brandon Vanhoose, 5, of Selmer, who were all transported to McNairy Regional Medical Center in Selmer.

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