Kelley remembered as upbeat, well-liked

Published 12:16 am Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Pleasant Home School had additional counselors available yesterday in the wake of a high school student’s death in a Sunday afternoon wreck that claimed three lives.

Taylor Kelley, 16, died when the 2006 Ford F-150 he was driving collided with a 2002 Ford-150 driven by Robert Curtis Blocker, 56, of Robertsdale. The accident occurred on U.S. 29 at the 32.70 mile marker, 10 miles south of Andalusia, at approximately 4:35 p.m.

PHS principal Craig Nichols said Kelley was an upbeat young man who liked to make people laugh and was well liked by his friends.

“He enjoyed working outside, and he was respectful to the faculty and administrators,” Nichols said. “This is a great tragedy to lose a life at such a young age. Taylor will be greatly missed by the faculty, staff and students of Pleasant Home School. The school will have additional counselors on staff today available to help students and faculty as they grieve. Our hearts break for his family in this time and we pray for comfort and healing in the days to come.”

A passenger in the teen’s vehicle, whose name was not released, was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries, and later transferred by air ambulance.

Covington County Schools Superintendent Shannon Driver called Kelley’s passing another tragic death.

“It’s been a difficult time this year for several of our schools,” he said. “Hopefully, the young girl will be OK.”

Kelley was the son of Stephanie Kelley and stepfather Eddie Tanner of Andalusia. For complete obituary information, please see Page 4.

Kelley, who was not using a seatbelt, was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene. Blocker, and passenger 43-year-old April Elaine Hayes, also died in the crash.

Alabama State Troopers said they were continuing to investigate the accident.