School bus driver, students witness head-on crash that killed 19-year-old in Granville County

A 19-year-old man was killed Wednesday morning in a Granville County crash witnessed by a school bus driver and students.

According to a spokesperson from Granville County Schools, troopers with the State Highway Patrol responded to the crash on Belltown Road, a two-lane road near Oxford.

The SHP said two 17-year-old students from Granville Central High School tried to pass the bus in a no-passing zone and collided head-on with an oncoming car.

They hit Karon Lamont Siplen, 19, of Oxford. Siplen, a former Granville student, died.

The two 17-year-olds in the other car were injured, but their condition is unknown. It is unclear if they will face charges.

The school bus, which was headed to Granville Early College High School, was not involved in the accident, but the driver and students witnessed the crash.

Siplen’s family owns Siplen's Finger Lickin' restaurant in Henderson. A post on the restaurant's Facebook account states it will be closed for the rest of the week due to the unforeseen and devastating loss.

Siplen’s mother spoke with WRAL News on Thursday, saying she is grateful for the community’s support. She said her son was an incredible man who had a positive impact on the lives of many people.

On social media, family and friends are posting some of their favorite memories with Karon Siplen. Hundreds of comments under the post offer condolences and prayers for the family.

School officials said there are extra counselors ready to help students at Granville Central High School and Granville Early College High School.

“The kids of course are upset about what happened with their classmates," said Courtney Currin, a spokesperson for Granville County Schools. "The other person involved is a member of our community, so there are some people who know that person and are of course impacted by that as well.”

The State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.