A Southern Nash High School student died Saturday in an early morning North Carolina car accident on West Mount Drive.

According to officials with the North Carolina Highway Patrol, 17 year-old Michael Dee Turner, of Bend of the River road, Elm City, died at Nash General Hospital after he drove through a stop sign and was struck by another vehicle. Police say Turner was driving his 1996 Chevrolet on Old Carriage Road shortly after 7:15 a.m. when he failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of West Mount Drive. A westbound vehicle on West Mount Drive then collided with the passengers side of Turner’s car, authorities report. Police investigators estimate the 2007 Chevrolet Suburban that struck Turner was traveling at least 50 mph when the crash occurred.

Turner, a high school junior, was on his way to take the SAT when the collision happened.

Troopers say the driver of the Suburban will not be cited in the accident.

Students at Southern Nash held and impromptu memorial service around Turner’s parking space in the high school lot. Spot 222 was filled with candles, white flowers, and homemade posters. Dozens of chalk messages covered the asphalt.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of the victim.