17-Year-Old William Turner Dies in Tragic Accident on His Way to Prom

A Stokes County community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of 17-year-old William James Turner, who died in a car crash while on his way to attend prom.

The accident occurred Saturday evening, April 12, on North Carolina 8 near Sawmill Road. According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the vehicle Turner was driving, a 2002 Ford Taurus, veered off the right side of the road, overcorrected, and crossed over the center line.

The car left the roadway, passed through a yard, and crashed into two trees. Turner, a senior at North Stokes High School, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators determined that speed was a contributing factor in the crash. The devastating incident happened just hours before Turner was expected to join his classmates at one of the most memorable events of senior year, prom.

Earlier that day, Turner had found a painted rock with the words “I’m ready” written on it, something his grandmother, Bonnie Roberts, described as a powerful and symbolic moment in hindsight.

“I think God was letting us know he was coming to get Will to bring him home to heaven. God may have been ready but we were not. Oh my sweet grandson. How our hearts are broken. We love and miss you so much,” Roberts mourned.

Still, Turner’s grandmother leans on her faith as she says goodbye to her grandson, sharing, “God has a purpose for everything, even if we don’t understand.”

Just hours before the tragedy, Roberts captured proud moments of the teen dressed for prom. In the photos she shared online, Turner stood tall in a black tuxedo paired with a maroon bowtie, cowboy hat, and brown shoes.

He beamed with pride, posing beside his car, smiling solo, and soaking in the love of his grandmother, who gave him a warm kiss on the cheek. In others, he stood next to his prom date, who wore a flowing purple gown.

When news of the tragedy spread, Stokes County Schools Superintendent Brad Rice said, “As our school community grieves this profound loss, we want to express our deepest condolences to Will’s family and friends.”

Rice acknowledged the deep emotional toll on students, staff, and the wider community due to Turner’s demise. Grief counselors were made available to help those affected cope with the sudden loss.

“We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from our community, and we remain committed to coming together to comfort and uplift one another as we navigate this painful moment of grief,” Rice added.

The tragedy has left a lasting impact on the community, uniting friends, family, and neighbors in remembrance of a young life lost far too soon.

Emma Flick, one of Turner’s classmates, shared a heartfelt message about the weight of returning to class without him. “Being a grieving classmate walking into a room with an empty desk, knowing your fellow classmate should be there, is incredibly hard,” she wrote.

Flick added, “We were all used to impatiently waiting to be dismissed for lunch, coming back to crack jokes, or just having your presence in the room. But today was different—harder.”

She reflected on how her biggest concerns used to be things like the weather on graduation day or tripping while walking across the stage. “Never had it crossed my mind: would there be an empty chair?” she penned.

Flick also praised her late classmate, “You never did me wrong. You were always such a kind soul and one of the funniest people to joke around with. I’m not sure how to process everything that’s happening, but I know these next few months are going to hurt.”

On the other hand, Karen Bullins has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and final expenses for Turner.

“Please pray for Will’s family,” she wrote, noting that all donations would go toward the funeral, a headstone, and, with any remaining funds, a scholarship for a graduating 2025 North Stokes senior in Turner’s honor. The fundraiser set a target of $15,000 and had raised $16,248 at the time of publication.

As Turner’s family navigates the heartbreak of his sudden loss, they can find some comfort in knowing that the financial burden of laying him to rest is being lifted, thanks to the generosity of those who care.