Family, friends and the Enterprise community is mourning the loss of a young man who died last week in a car accident.
Ly’Johntay Horton, a 2015 EHS graduate was killed in a car accident on Highway 513 in Enterprise Wednesday, May 5th. Mississippi Highway Patrol stated they received the 911 call at approximately 3 p.m. involving a car, log truck and pick-up truck. His passenger, Deante Couch, also a 2015 EHS graduate, was injured and airlifted to Forest General Hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
Horton was driving a red Pontiac and traveling north when he turned across traffic into a driveway. His car was struck by a Freightliner log truck that was traveling south. The log truck also collided with a Chevrolet pickup. The driver of the log truck and pick-up did not receive any serious injuries.
Classmates were shocked to learn of the news Wednesday afternoon and devastated at the loss of their classmate.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to the Horton family, along with the other boys injured and the driver of the log truck,” said EHS Head Football Coach Kelly Jimmerson. “Johntay was a great player, leader and team mate. He was a joy to coach every day and always had a smile from ear to ear. When you spend as much time as coaches do with the kids, you have a connection that moves on even after graduation because they will always be your boys. It breaks our heart and he will be missed by me, the school and the community,” Jimmerson said.
Ly’Johntay was the recipient of the 2015 coveted Mac Hamburg Award for his athletic accomplishments at Enterprise High School.
Many of Johntay’s classmates remember him with the following statements they shared with the Clarke County Tribune:
“Johntay was one who was always smiling. He always picked on me in high school but I’m thankful for the memories we shared. He had a different way of making everyone’s day. He will surely be missed,” Dayna Lewis and Patrick Chatham
“He never went a day without letting everyone know that he loved them. He was truly a great friend to lean on because he would always be there for us no matter what.” Katlyn Mosley
“Johntay was a really nice guy and such a class clown. We will miss him.” Kayla Skinner
“Oh where to begin... Johntay Horton was one of the craziest, sweetest guys I have ever met. He always had everyone laughing and there wasn't a day that went by that he couldn't change someone's mood. I could walk by him in the hallway and be having the worst day and he could just walk with me and talk to me and he would make my day 10 times better. He was one of the best football players and we would be there every Friday night cheering him on from our student section. I will forever cherish every memory that I & Johntay had together. He was an amazing classmate and an even better friend. Fly high #32. You'll forever be loved & always missed. I'll see you again one day!” Love always, Kaleigh Russell.
“He knew how to brighten everyone’s day. He was such a sweet guy.” Katlyn Skinner
“Johntay was a dang good athlete and was always someone you could depend on. R.I.P. #32 Jared Hamrick
“I love Johntay and I’m so happy I got to spend my high school with him and Deante, and I’m so happy he got to meet Aubree my daughter. Everybody loved him and there isn’t ever going to be a person that can replace him. I love him like he is my brother,” Cameron Stephens
“Johntay was one of the hardest working athletes I know on and off the field. If I needed anything he was there. Fly high brother. RIP #32.” Garrett Glenn
“Johntay... Where do I even begin? From in the classroom to the football field he always had the biggest smile on his face and more than likely dancing when you saw him. He might even be singing just depending on the day. I can still hear him randomly imitating the Allstate man, "Are you in good hands?" He always brought us to life when we were in the classroom. He just had this positivity about him. If you were around him, you were positive. He just knew how to make you smile no matter the circumstance. Johntay always had candy... Always. He charged us out the roof for it, but hey he was just making money. He had a separate backpack just for selling candy. On the football field, he was a different person. He was an amazing leader and a workhorse. He always gave it his all once he put his mind to something. Johntay Horton is my friend and will forever be my brother. Fly High 32.” Collin Chandler
“I remember how Johntay used to come and cheer the fight song every Friday night senior year! Johntay, you will be missed by so many. You always kept everyone laughing and I remember you always had a backpack full of candy to sell to us every day!” Kara Etheridge
“Losing a classmate and friend is never easy, especially one like Johntay. He always greeted you with a bug hug and a smile every time you saw him. Every day he would ask me, “Hey Lil bit, are you going to get any taller before we graduate? The Class of 2015 will miss you so much but with God’s grace and unfailing love, we will reunite again one day! Fly High #32.” Brittany Hagwood
“There is something about a great athlete like Johntay who would call me superman before every game.” Reece
Johntay was literally one of the sweetest souls around. He always made sure to point you out in crowds and say hey and ask how you were doing. Its people like that that makes you feel special and cared about. That’s definitely how he made everyone feel. Oh and you can’t forget he always sold the best candy at break. We sure will miss you. Love you buddy – Katie Jo Riley
“Going to school in Enterprise everyone knew everyone (a blessing and sometimes a curse). But I am so beyond happy that this closeness allowed me to befriend Johntay. He was such a kind heart and quiet the comedian. His laugh was infectious and his smile could light up a room. He will be dearly missed but I know that one day we will be reunited with him. We love you #32” Amy Lewis
“He was much more than a friend, he was my brother, Johntay was a loving caring outgoing guy he loved his brothers, team mates and family. There was never a time Johntay didn’t go 100 percent on the field and there was never a time he wasn’t selling candy. Johntay was always making someone laugh from his jokes to his crazy dance moves he did. I have so many memories with him from the field to the classroom. You will always be my brother. I’ll see you soon, love you and fly high #32” Justin Mayo
“I only remember having one class with Johntay and it was Mrs. Minors. We would play Uno every day. Thinking back to high school I don’t remember ever seeing Johntay in a bad moor or making fun of someone. He was loving to anyone and everyone. We weren’t very close but everything that I would hear were good things like how great of a football player he was and how he could make anyone laugh. Johntay made a big impression and impact on our school and he will be greatly missed. Breanna Cunningham
“I remember the first day Johntay even came to Enterprise. He walked in on the first day of school of 6th grade year in Mrs. Wilkins class and his mom walked by the door. When she was leaving he waved at her and had a huge smile on his face. Johntay was never a stranger, even on his first day in a new place. His spirit was so welcoming. He always knew how to put a smile on anybody’s face and how to make people laugh. I remember I had Mrs. Minor’s class with him junior year and we always played Uno and when I’d mess up he’d always just look at me for a good five seconds then bust out laughing and shake his head. The image I’ll always have in my head is his smile. That smile never left his face.” Haylee Riley
“He was one of a kind! Loved by everyone!! He will NEVER be forgotten. Had a smile that would light up a room and you couldn't have a bad day because if you were and Johntay saw you were down he would do everything he could to cheer you up! He was an amazing young man!!” – Harley Todd
“I don't have enough words to describe the happiness Johntay brought to everyone. If he was around, you were smiling. I will forever cherish our Friday nights after the football games and all the classes we had together. I'm so thankful to have grown closer to him over senior year. Every time he saw me he would pick on me about something whether it is something about Grant or asking me to let him drive my F250 truck! I could be in the worst mood and Johntay could brighten my day. He was one of those people that you just loved to be around. He was an amazing person and an even better athlete. He made me love to watch the game, and it broke my heart when he got hurt and was out for the rest of the year. Through that whole situation he was positive which amazed me. Johntay will never be forgotten! With all that being said, I want to leave you with this Bible verse from Romans 5:3-4, "We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” #32StrongForever Krissy Monsour
“He was always a joy to be around. It was very rate to ever find him without a smile. He certainly kept all who knew him cracking up constantly and he will be greatly missed.” Caleb Mercer
Funeral arrangements for Johntay were unavailable at press time.
