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Ethan Crawford, 18, died on Saturday, Jan. 4  due to injuries he sustained in a collision on Dec. 21. The collision also claimed the life of his grandmother, Lucy Gurganus.

Crawford passed at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville.

Crawford was a recent graduate of Northside High School who made the announcement on Saturday. “Please pray for Ethan and his family in the coming days. He was a great student, friend, son, Jr. fighter and person. He will be greatly missed by all,” the school posted to social media. Grief counselors are scheduled to be at Northside from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Monday (Jan. 6) and Tuesday (Jan. 7).

Bunyan Fire Department, where Crawford was a firefighter, also announced his passing the same day.

Chief Wesley Williams wrote the following in an email to the Daily News, “Ethan Crawford was a tremendous asset to Bunyan Fire Department (BFD). Ethan joined BFD on October 4, 2022 as a Junior Firefighter. He served in this role for almost two years and then on June 11, 2024 he was promoted to Firefighter, a position he proudly held until his passing. Ethan showed great potential at BFD and he was loved and respected by all. In his short time at BFD he was already a high achiever. He finished in the top five in call responses in 2023 and 2024. He also finished in the top ten for training hours in 2023 and 2024. Ethan loved being a firefighter and he had a natural talent and an eagerness to learn the job,” 

“Ethan was also well respected at Northside High School where he was described as an above average student loved by all his teachers. Coaches Leathers and Adams could count on Ethan to set up the gym whenever they had an athletic event with full confidence it would be done correctly,” 

“Ethan made a big impact everywhere he was involved. He will be greatly missed at BFD, Ethan was an extraordinary young man with his whole life in front of him. His memory will forever be held closely at Bunyan Fire Department.” 

Crawford’s family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 10 at the Beaufort County Community College Building #10. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. at the same location on Saturday, Jan. 11. It will be officiated by Pastor David Linton.

The Daily News contacted NC Highway State Patrol to ask if additional charges are forthcoming. They did not respond by press time.