Adult, second youth face charges in connection with the accident
Hundreds of teens gathered in front of Houma Junior High School this morning to stand in silent concentric circles around the flagpole.
Some hugged, many cried, a few spoke soft prayers, and the grief was palpable as the teens mourned the tragic death of a classmate.
According to a report in the Houma Daily Courier, John Farmer, 14, was killed Sunday when the Polaris off-road vehicle he was riding overturned and landed on him, crushing his skull. Houma Police said Farmer was one of six boys racing ATVs in Barrios subdivision and one of five on the Polaris.
Extra counselors were on hand at the school Monday and today to help the students cope with the eighth-grader’s loss, schools Superintendent Philip Martin said.
His absence haunted the school Monday, where faculty and classmates alike remembered him for his big smile and enduring spirit.
One of Farmer’s teachers, who taught him this year and last, said she could not help but notice his empty desk.
“This is a teacher’s biggest fear that came true,” said the teacher, who asked not to be identified. “He had such a bright future ahead of him and was so very smart and talented.
“My heart goes out to his family and friends. It is a huge loss that we no longer have John with us.”
Allyson Cobb, one of Farmer’s classmates and a friend since second grade, emailed The Courier Monday to express her sorrow.
“He would always make everyone laugh when times were rough, and he put a smile on everyone’s face,” Cobb wrote. “John was really into scooters, and that’s all he and his friends did. A lot of kids weren’t at school today because of his death, and if they were at school they were all crying.”
The crash also injured a 12-year-old passenger in the Polaris. He hit his head and suffered a severe concussion, police said.
The 13-year-old driving the Polaris was Farmer’s best friend. He is not injured, but is charged with negligent homicide, negligent injury, reckless operation, driving without a license and operating an unsafe vehicle.
None of the boys inside were wearing seat belts or helmets.
Robin Reynolds, 45, owned the Polaris and is the parent of one of the boys riding the other four wheeler, police said. Reynolds has been ticketed for contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile and allowing a minor to drive.
WWL-TV contributed to this report.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Houma Daily Courier Staff Writer John Harper filed this report.
