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08-21-2007, 09:02 PM
Friends recall Dakota
By CHRIS TRAINOR/ Index-Journal staff writer
Wednesday, August 15, 2007 11:49 PM EDT
NINETY SIX - “Crushed.”,“Devastated.” Those are strong words coming from the mouth of an 11-year-old.
Nevertheless, those were the words 11-year-old Reid Slack, of Ninety Six, used to describe the way he felt when he got word his good friend, Dakota Miller, had been killed in a wreck Saturday evening.
The wreck occurred just before 7 p.m. Saturday three miles west of Pomaria on Interstate 26 in Newberry County. He was riding along with his mother, Tina Miller, sister Cierra and brother Harley in a 2005 Toyota when they were involved in a collision with three other vehicles.
On Tuesday, Slack, who will be heading into sixth grade at Edgewood next week � as Dakota would have been � talked about his buddy.
“I considered Dakota one of my best, best friends,” said Slack in a calm, articulate voice that belies his young age. “I’ve known him since kindergarten. We had classes together, some honors classes together.
“Dakota was a good kid. He always had good behavior.”
Slack said Dakota’s humor made him popular among his classmates.
“He was so funny,” Slack said, chuckling slightly. “He always had us laughing. I can tell you Dakota had a lot of friends.”
One fact Slack was adamant about was how much Dakota enjoyed participating in church activities. Greenwood’s Angie McDonald, whose son, Matthew, was a classmate of Dakota’s, said church is where Matthew and Dakota became fast friends.
“Matthew loved Dakota and loved going to his house on the weekend,” McDonald said. “He said his daddy, Robby, is so much fun and paid them so much attention. He would take them fishing and camping and would do the same with the church boys group.
“Matthew understands that Dakota is now in heaven with Jesus, and he will see him again one day but is heartbroken at the same time.”
McDonald said Matthew, 11, remembered he and Dakota laughed a lot together, that Dakota taught him how to ride a skateboard, that Dakota wasn’t selfish and that he was a good friend.
On Wednesday, the boy’s father, Robby Miller, discussed details of a memorial fund that has been set up for Dakota to help cover funeral costs. Robby said residents can visit any Lakelands-area Bank of America and contribute to the Miller fund.
Robby also updated the condition of Tina and Cierra. Both are still at Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital in Columbia.
Robby said Cierra underwent an additional surgery Wednesday on her left foot. She also sustained injuries to her left arm. Meanwhile, Robby said Tina Miller is recovering after cracking two vertebrae and sustaining two broken ribs.
Amazingly, 13-year-old Harley Miller did not sustain any injuries in the incident. His father said he has been a leader throughout the ordeal.
“Harley is a hero,” Robby said. “He took control of everything at the scene. The paramedics said when they got there he was calm and in control.”
Robby said Harley revived Cierra at the scene Saturday evening and shielded Dakota’s body from the prying eyes of onlookers.
“I’m so proud of Harley,” Robby said. “He’s been back and forth to his sister’s room and his mother’s room at the hospital, taking care of both of them. He said what he learned in the scouts helped him take care of things at the scene.
“My son is just super and he is so brave.”
By CHRIS TRAINOR/ Index-Journal staff writer
Wednesday, August 15, 2007 11:49 PM EDT
NINETY SIX - “Crushed.”,“Devastated.” Those are strong words coming from the mouth of an 11-year-old.
Nevertheless, those were the words 11-year-old Reid Slack, of Ninety Six, used to describe the way he felt when he got word his good friend, Dakota Miller, had been killed in a wreck Saturday evening.
The wreck occurred just before 7 p.m. Saturday three miles west of Pomaria on Interstate 26 in Newberry County. He was riding along with his mother, Tina Miller, sister Cierra and brother Harley in a 2005 Toyota when they were involved in a collision with three other vehicles.
On Tuesday, Slack, who will be heading into sixth grade at Edgewood next week � as Dakota would have been � talked about his buddy.
“I considered Dakota one of my best, best friends,” said Slack in a calm, articulate voice that belies his young age. “I’ve known him since kindergarten. We had classes together, some honors classes together.
“Dakota was a good kid. He always had good behavior.”
Slack said Dakota’s humor made him popular among his classmates.
“He was so funny,” Slack said, chuckling slightly. “He always had us laughing. I can tell you Dakota had a lot of friends.”
One fact Slack was adamant about was how much Dakota enjoyed participating in church activities. Greenwood’s Angie McDonald, whose son, Matthew, was a classmate of Dakota’s, said church is where Matthew and Dakota became fast friends.
“Matthew loved Dakota and loved going to his house on the weekend,” McDonald said. “He said his daddy, Robby, is so much fun and paid them so much attention. He would take them fishing and camping and would do the same with the church boys group.
“Matthew understands that Dakota is now in heaven with Jesus, and he will see him again one day but is heartbroken at the same time.”
McDonald said Matthew, 11, remembered he and Dakota laughed a lot together, that Dakota taught him how to ride a skateboard, that Dakota wasn’t selfish and that he was a good friend.
On Wednesday, the boy’s father, Robby Miller, discussed details of a memorial fund that has been set up for Dakota to help cover funeral costs. Robby said residents can visit any Lakelands-area Bank of America and contribute to the Miller fund.
Robby also updated the condition of Tina and Cierra. Both are still at Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital in Columbia.
Robby said Cierra underwent an additional surgery Wednesday on her left foot. She also sustained injuries to her left arm. Meanwhile, Robby said Tina Miller is recovering after cracking two vertebrae and sustaining two broken ribs.
Amazingly, 13-year-old Harley Miller did not sustain any injuries in the incident. His father said he has been a leader throughout the ordeal.
“Harley is a hero,” Robby said. “He took control of everything at the scene. The paramedics said when they got there he was calm and in control.”
Robby said Harley revived Cierra at the scene Saturday evening and shielded Dakota’s body from the prying eyes of onlookers.
“I’m so proud of Harley,” Robby said. “He’s been back and forth to his sister’s room and his mother’s room at the hospital, taking care of both of them. He said what he learned in the scouts helped him take care of things at the scene.
“My son is just super and he is so brave.”