Tragic auto accident claims lives of groom, ring bearer, and groomsman

Twenty-three-year-old Brandon Tedder was supposed to get married at Council Baptist Church Saturday, but never made it that far. Just one hour before his wedding, the groom and two members of his wedding party were struck and killed in a car accident

Tedder’s best man, 19-year-old Brandon Mintz was driving the groom and ring barer, 13-year-old Daniel Sykes. The trio was headed to Lake Waccamaw to meet family members before heading to the church. Highway Patrol said the wedding party was traveling east on Highway 214 when a silver Chrysler, driving in the opposite direction, veered into the wrong lane.

Sergeant John Lewis responded to the accident. “There was a silver Chrysler convertible on the west bound shoulder and there was a red Honda Prelude in the eastbound ditch.”

Highway Patrol diverted traffic around the highway while they cleaned up the accident, but not before some drivers witnessed the scene. Tiny Jacobs said, “Glass everywhere, the front of the car was off.”

Patrol said all three passengers were killed instantly from the impact. None of the passengers were wearing their seatbelts. Sykes, the ring bearer, was thrown from the car.

The driver of the Chrysler, 43-year-old John Daniel Kelly, was air lifted to New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Kelly’s 17-year-old son, Michael Vincent, was in the passenger seat but was not seriously injured. Both the Kelly’s were wearing their seatbelts. “They probably escaped death because they had their seat belts on,” said Sergeant Lewis.

Tedder planned to marry Angel Bonham from Kelly.

Highway Patrol is investigating whether alcohol and speed were factors in the accident. There have been six highway deaths in Columbus County this year.