Funeral for Delmar student killed in car crash set for Sunday at the school gymnasium

Shannon Marvel McNaught, Delaware News Journal
Updated ·2 min read

A funeral for 16-year-old Carter Figgs, the Delmar High School student and athlete killed in a car crash Saturday, will be held at the school this weekend.

Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, at the Delmar High School gymnasium, followed by a funeral service at 1 p.m. Internment will take place at St. Stephen's Cemetery in Delmar.

The crash occurred around 12:30 a.m. Saturday, as Figgs and three other boys were in a car traveling south on South Salisbury Boulevard, in the area of Lloyd Street. According to the Salisbury Police Department, the 17-year-old driver "failed to control the speed of the vehicle, crossed into the northbound lanes, and collided with a telephone pole."

A memorial to Carter Figgs has been erected at the site of the crash that killed him, at Route 13 and Lloyd Street in Salisbury.
A memorial to Carter Figgs has been erected at the site of the crash that killed him, at Route 13 and Lloyd Street in Salisbury.

Figgs and another 17-year-old passenger were found outside of the vehicle, police said. Figgs "died due to injuries allegedly sustained from the collision," according to Salisbury police. The other teen was in critical but stable condition as of Monday. There was a third 17-year-old passenger, but police did not clarify his condition.

The driver was charged with criminally negligent manslaughter by motor vehicle, driving under the influence of alcohol and other offenses before being released to a guardian.

Carter Figgs, 16, a Delmar High School student, was killed in a car crash Oct. 7 in Salisbury, Maryland.
Carter Figgs, 16, a Delmar High School student, was killed in a car crash Oct. 7 in Salisbury, Maryland.

Figgs played football and wrested for Delmar. Saturday night, Delmar School District Superintendent Andrew O'Neal released a statement on Facebook.

"We join the community in sharing our thoughts and prayers as we all endure the shock of this unspeakable tragedy," O'Neal said.

Background: 'Friends and family meant everything' to Delmar High student mourned after fatal crash

The community gathered in Delmar on Sunday night for a candlelight vigil and bonfire for Figgs. Athletic activities were canceled at Delmar schools Monday and counseling was available for students and staff.

A GoFundMe has been created to cover Figgs' funeral costs. His mother, Laurie Knapp, said he was "the sweetest boy you would ever meet."

"He was always there when I needed him," Knapp said. "He was my rock, my protector, my heart."

Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on Sussex County and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Funeral for 16-year-old Delmar student killed in car crash Sunday