Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Accident Claims Student’s Life
FARMINGTON — Farmington High students kept their eyes on the sky Monday afternoon as they released colorful balloons in celebration of the life of one of their classmates.
Isaac Cartwright, 17, a junior at the school, died Sunday following a one-vehicle accident that occurred on U.S. 62, just past the Farmington city limits in Fayetteville.
The high school posted the information about the accident on its Facebook page Monday morning.
“It is with deep regret that we inform you about a recent loss to our school community,” the post said. “On Sunday, April 9, Isaac Cartwright, one of our 11th- graders, was killed in an automobile accident.”
Sgt. Craig Stout with Fayetteville Police Department could not release specific information about the victim because of his age, but said the first call about the accident came in at 6:33 a.m. Sunday. The caller reported that a vehicle had run off the road and struck a tree on U.S. 62 across the street from
“He was a normal kid, just a good kid who was friends with lots of folks.”
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Stout said the accident was still under investigation and he did not have a final police report. He said information showed two other calls came into dispatchers after the initial call. Stout said it appeared from reports the victim was the only person in the vehicle.
Isaac was taken by ambulance to Washington Regional Medical Center and was pronounced dead later that day.
Jon Purifoy, high school principal, said school counselors and counselors from Ozark Guidance were on campus Monday to give assistance to any students or others as needed.
Students set up a vigil in the high school commons area and were writing notes in memory of Isaac and planned to give those to his parents, Purifoy said.
“He was a normal kid, just a good kid who was friends with a lot of folks,” Purifoy said.
Isaac played tuba in the Farmington High School band and was involved in theater. He was supposed to be in a high school play this weekend.
Band Director Jim Spillars said Isaac had played as part of a brass ensemble for regional Solo and Ensemble on Friday night and the group received a superior score, qualifying them to play for State Solo and Ensemble.
“He would have been going to state,” Spillars said Monday. “If they win a medal, we are going to get one for him and give it to his parents posthumously.”
Spillars said Monday was a very challenging day for teachers and students.
Isaac’s mother, Laura Cartwright, said her son was a miracle baby. She and her husband adopted Isaac on Sept. 11, 2001. For most people, “9-11” was a bad day. But for them, Cartwright said, “We have good memo- ries about it. We celebrated on that day.”
Isaac’s parents attended the balloon release in front of the high school and were comforted by many of Isaac’s friends.
Several friends shared memories of Isaac following the balloon release.
A’Amell Fuqua, 18, described Isaac as a “real ball of joy.”
Her sister, Amelia Fuqua, added, “He made Farmington a lot easier for me. He would put a smile on my face with his jokes.”
Claudia Oxford, a senior, said Isaac could walk into a room and the “atmosphere would get so much brighter.”
“He was not afraid to be himself,” said another friend, Shandreka McCullough.
Many friends posted on Isaac’s Facebook page and almost all of them described him as a happy person, always with a smile and always one to make others laugh.
One person wrote, “Today heaven gained an amazing angel. I know right now that Isaac is in heaven right now making everyone smile and feel important like he did on earth.”
Jon Purifoy
Farmington High School Principal