Manila High School Student Brady Curtwright Dies After Lake City Crash, Family Mourns

The family of Brady Curtwright, a Manila High School student who was critically injured in a December 5 crash in Lake City, announced the teen’s death on Sunday.

In a heartbreaking update shared on social media, Brady’s mother, Ashley Curtwright, said her son’s “last heartbeat” occurred at 6:55 p.m. on December 7, 2025. She described the loss as “an earth-shattering tragedy” and thanked the community for the overwhelming prayers and support during her son’s final days.

The fatal wreck happened around 6:33 p.m. Friday on Highway 18 near the Lake City Bridge. According to reports, a 2013 Ford driven by Brad King of Manila was traveling eastbound when it crossed the center line and struck a westbound 2023 Volkswagen driven by Kennedy Riggs of Blytheville. A 2014 Toyota, unable to stop in time, then collided with the Volkswagen.

The crash resulted in two deaths and five serious injuries.

• Brad King, the driver of the Ford, was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died.

• A minor inside the Volkswagen also died from injuries sustained in the collision.

• Riggs and four additional minors were seriously injured and taken to area hospitals.

• The driver of the Toyota was uninjured and had no passengers.

Brady Curtwright had been hospitalized since the night of the crash. On December 6, his mother shared that he had no brain function, pleading for prayers and hoping for a miracle. Despite the family’s hopes, the 17-year-old succumbed to his injuries the following day.

In her statement, Ashley wrote:
“It’s an earth-shattering tragedy with a story I never thought would be mine. I know without a shadow of a doubt that the only thing that kept me off the ground today were all the prayers that flooded Heaven. You all prayed for a miracle and although we didn’t get it, those prayers gave me unbelievable strength and peace in the moment I most needed it.”

The community continues to rally around the Curtwright family as they mourn the loss of Brady, remembered as a bright and beloved student at Manila High School.