Oconee County Teen Dies in Single-vehicle Crash

A one-vehicle traffic accident Sunday night in Oconee County claimed the life of a Watkinsville teen.

Coroner Ed Carson identified the victim as 18-year-old Nathan James Terpin.

The wreck happened at 9:35 p.m. on Aug. 11 on Palomino Pass and shut down the roadway completely until about 11:30 p.m., according to notifications sent by the Oconee County Sheriff's Office.

Chief Deputy Lee Weems said Terpin helped out at a cookout for a high school youth group earlier in the day and later that evening attended a youth group for college students.  After dropping his girlfriend off at her home, Terpin's small pickup struck a culvert and overturned, he said. The Georgia State Patrol is handling the investigation.

Terpin was a 2013 graduate of Oconee County High School and a member of Prince Avenue Baptist Church, Weems said, and his pastor was at the scene to console family and friends.

"Everything I'm hearing is that he was a fine young man," he remarked.

The Sheriff's Office notified Oconee County Schools of the accident so that resources could be in place for students and staff on Monday, Weems said.

Superintendent Dr. Jason Branch said additional counselors are available.

"We ask everyone to keep the family in their thoughts and prayers.  It's extremely heartbreaking for the school system and family," he said. "It's certainly a time to come together and support one another."

The High School Ministry of PABC mourned the loss on its Facebook Page:

Last night one of our recent graduates, Nathan Terpin was involved in an auto accident and was killed. There are no words to adequately express how we all feel during this time. We do rejoice that he made a decision to follow Jesus with his life and we will see him again. We pray God will grant grace in this time when our hearts are hurting.

Nathan was one of the most loved students I have ever encountered. There isn't a person who knew him that didn't feel close to him. There isn't a ministry in our church he wasn't involved in - or one that depended on him.

Life will not be the same after these events. And it shouldn't be. It's forever a moment etched in our hearts and memories of one that we lost whom we love so dearly. We remember that life is a vapor. It's here one moment and gone the next. The hope that we have can only be found in Jesus. He is the author and perfecter of life and life eternal. This earthly vessel we dwell in is temporary, and Nathan made the most of every moment.

Please pray for the Terpins; for Nathan's parents and brothers and sister. We will inform you of details as we get them.

So many have asked how they can help. Please pray for the family above all, and we will let you know best we can how you can help them the best way possible.

Students who need to talk or need prayer can contact Pat @ 706.363.0728

According to Prince Avenue Baptist Church, visitation will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 13 from 5-8 p.m. at Lord and Stephens West.  The funeral will take place in the church's worship center at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 14.