2 North Carolina high school football players killed in 'devastating' ATV accident

Two North Carolina teenagers were killed in an ATV crash over the weekend, leaving community members reeling with grief.

The two teens, Layne Jones and Jayden Reynaldo, were killed Saturday in a four-wheeler crash in Transylvania County, a spokesperson from Transylvania County Schools confirmed to USA TODAY Tuesday afternoon.

The teens were driving a 2015 Polaris sportsman four-wheeler, tried to go around a curve and ran off the road, hitting a tree, FOX Carolina reported.

Transylvania County Schools Superintendent Lisa Fletcher said in a statement posted online that the boys died in a "devastating accident."

'Young, vibrant lives'

The teens went to Rosman High School. Photos of the two shared on the school's Facebook Sunday showed the boys wearing football uniforms. In a press release Sunday, Fletcher called the boys “young, vibrant lives,” and said their passing is a reminder of how precious life is. 

Counseling has been set up at the school, and Fletcher encouraged community members to lean on one another.

“Please keep the families of our dear students in your thoughts and prayers,” Fletcher wrote.

Community rallies around family, offers condolences

Community members changed their social media display photos in honor of the teens, including the Transylvania County Sheriff's Office.

“On behalf of Sheriff Owenby and the men and women of the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office we offer our condolences, sympathies and regards to the families and friends of these two young men,” the sheriff’s office wrote. “Our prayers will be with you all during this difficult time.”

Other schools in the area also offered condolences online.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Rosman community and football team as they mourn the devastating loss of two young lives,” shared Franklin High School. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Rosman High School during this difficult time.”

Community members plan to wear orange at Friday's football game in honor of the teens."Come support our school and remember Jayden and Layne by helping us ORANGE OUT our stadium at Friday Night's game against North Henderson," RHMS Cheer shared in a post, which was later shared on the high school's Facebook page. "These boys will surely be missed and our team will need your support. Let's do this for our boys! GOOOOOOOOO Tigers!"

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at@SaleenMartin or email her at[email protected].