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An Effingham County High School senior drowned after being ejected from a car in a single-vehicle accident Wednesday on Rincon-Stillwell Road.
Christian Cowan, 18, of Rincon, was pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck, Effingham County Sheriff’s Office spokesman David Ehsanipoor said.
Autopsy results released Thursday revealed that Cowan’s death was due to drowning.
Ehsanipoor said an off-duty sheriff’s office investigator discovered the accident about 7:30 p.m.
Cowan was found face down in a ditch with standing water, Ehsanipoor said.
Also injured in the accident was Travis Williams, 18, of Rincon, who was found at the crash site on the side of the road. The car was also found in a ditch.
Ehsanipoor said investigators have not determined who was driving the car.
Cowan was not wearing a seat belt.
Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie said he hopes continuing education efforts on safe driving aimed at students will help prevent another young life from being lost.
“We are going to keep educating them on the importance of wearing a seat belt and defensive driving,” McDuffie said.
Although Williams was found on the roadside, Ehsanipoor said, investigators are not sure whether Williams was ejected or exited the car on his own after the crash. The accident remains under investigation.
Williams was airlifted to Memorial University Medical Center where he remained Thursday in stable condition.
Ehsanipoor said Williams is expected to survive.
Williams is also a senior at Effingham County High School, according to deputies.
Cowan was a California native who had lived in Rincon for 16 years. He liked hunting and fishing.
Effingham County High School Principal Yancy Ford said Cowan, who had just recently returned to the school, would be missed.
“Christian was a fun kid to be around. He was full of energy. He moved away in October and came back to ECHS one week ago,” Ford said. “We will truly miss Christian at Effingham County High School.”
Visitation will be held Friday, Jan. 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Rincon. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Jan. 19, also at First Baptist Church of Rincon.