Goodrich- The community is in mourning following the death of a middle school student described by his teacher as being a sweet, kind, polite young man.
Cayn Nance, 11, of Burton, died in a traffic accident at about 5 p.m. on Oct. 20 near the intersection of M-15 and Kipp Roads.
Preliminary investigations by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department show the accident as occurring when a southbound 1992 Pontiac Grand Am driven by Cayn’s mother made a left turn in the path of a 2000 Ford Explorer driven by a 16-year-old Atlas Township woman. Neither speed nor alcohol are believed to have been a factor. Seat belts were used.
Cayn’s mother, a bus driver for the district, suffered minor injuries. Cayn’s sister, 8, also a passenger in the vehicle, was taken to Genesys Health Park with non life-threatening injuries.
Nance was a sixth grader in Goodrich Middle School teacher Jennifer Barley’s special education class, meeting three times each school day.
Cayn ‘always tried his best,? said Barley. ‘He liked to draw. He always drew people, figures of people. I would tell him ‘if you work hard for half an hour, you can draw for fifteen minutes.?? said Barley.
Barley said Cayn’s last day in class was a good one. He got an ‘A+? on a quiz and played chess with his best friend. Barley said Cayn was especially excited about getting to draw a ‘wanted? poster depicting a character in a story the class was studying.
Superintendent Kimberly Hart said grief counselors and clergy were made available to students in the week following the accident.
‘He was a great kid,? said Hart. ‘He made an impression on everyone he met. He was one of those kids that made everyone smile. Our hearts and thoughts are with the family.?
Barley said she regrets having only met Cayn at the beginning of this school year.
‘He was a hoot,? said Barley, ‘he was a lot of fun to be around.?
‘He was always polite,? said Barley, ‘always said ‘good morning.? He was just a happy student.?
A funeral service was planned for 11 a.m. on Oct. 27 at the Goodrich United Methodist Church, 8071 M-15 in Goodrich.