Student Killed While Running Errand For Prom

Princeton High senior James Stuart Cook (below) was killed in a traffic accident Wednesday. Another student, Jeremy Pennell, was seriously injured. Photo by Carter Rabil Princeton

A Princeton High senior was killed, and another seriously injured, Wednesday afternoon, after being involved in a traffic accident while on their way to pick up their tuxedos for their prom. The fatal mishap occurred on US70 at Cornwallis Road in Princeton .

James Stuart Cook, 20, of Kenly (pictured left) died at Pitt Memorial in Greenville . Jeremy Lynn Pennell, 17, of Smithfield was airlifted to Duke Medical Center with serious injuries. Cook and Pennell were traveling in a Jeep Cherokee shortly after 4pm Wednesday. They apparently ran a stop sign at the intersection of Cornwallis Road and were broadsided by a pickup traveling on US70. Pennell was ejected as the SUV overturned. Neither of the teens was wearing a seat belt. Troopers are still investigating which student was behind the wheel. The driver of the pickup, Patrick Rawls of Clayton, was treated and released at Johnston Memorial Hospital . Grief counselors were on hand at Princeton High on Thursday to talk with students about the tragedy.