By Susan Dickson
Staff Writer

CHAPEL HILL —The Chapel Hill High School community is mourning the loss of yet another student after the tragic death of senior Rodney Torain early Sunday morning.

Torain, 18, was killed in an automobile crash on Old Greensboro Highway just before 4 a.m. Sunday.
Ashley Bynum, 18, was driving Torain home with Laticia Farrington, 17, when a gold or silver small car began closely following their car, according to the N.C. Highway Patrol. The car then began to pass Bynum’s vehicle, striking the car on the left and causing it to run off the road to the right then veer back onto the road and off the left side, striking a tree.

The car that struck Bynum’s vehicle then sped away from the scene.

Trooper T.S. Wright said Torain was pronounced dead at the scene and Bynum and Farrington were brought to UNC Hospitals with non life-threatening injuries. They were later released.

According to Wright, the witnesses said at least two Hispanic males were in the car – a small, gold or silver four-door car – which should have sideswipe marks on the right side.

Torain is the second Chapel Hill High School football player to die this year. Atlas Fraley, also a senior and a friend of Torain, died Aug. 12 in his home following two football scrimmages. Although paramedics responded to a 911 call from Fraley and then treated him that day, the cause of his death has not been released.

Torain, like Fraley, was very involved in school and athletics and was well liked by his peers.
“He had a very positive presence in the school,” Chapel Hill High Principal Jackie Ellis said. “He was an amazing young man.”

Ellis said students seemed to be in shock following Torain’s untimely death.
“It’s been quiet,” she said. “Of course, there’s a lot of sadness…. It’s just been trying.”

A crisis team was brought into the school Monday morning and counselors were made available to students and staff members.

“It has hit across races, across socioeconomics,” Ellis said. “He’s just sorely missed, and it’s evident in our school.”

A group on the social networking website Facebook was dedicated to Torain and has drawn more than 150 members. One of the postings on the site states, “All you ever did was make people laugh, and it was that warmth that everyone will remember.”

Tuesday night’s Chapel Hill High men’s varsity basketball game was canceled following the tragedy. Torain had been a member of the basketball team the past three years.

According to Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, crisis teams are available in each of the district’s high schools.

Police are asking that anyone with any information regarding the incident or the vehicle that hit Bynum’s car call (336) 570-6809.