Students and faculty at Brookhaven Academy were shocked Mondaymorning to learn about a four-wheeler accident that claimed thelife of a sixth grader.

Joshua Dean Thurman, 12, died around 4 p.m. Sunday shortly afterthe four-wheeler he was riding was hit by a truck on Turnpike Roadin Pike County, according to Pike County Coroner Percy Pittman.

Brookhaven Academy officials, who have not seen a mid-schoolyear death in a long time, were supportive of the elementarystudents and providing them with counselors.

“They’re real emotional this morning,” said Headmaster JohnGray. “We’ll have somebody with them all day taking care of theirneeds.”

The sixth grade student was the son of Dean Thurman ofBrookhaven and Stephanie Dickerson of Jayess.

A 13-year-old Jayess boy was also involved in the accident. JakeFortenberry, who was on the four-wheeler with Thurman, wasairlifted to University Medical Center in Jackson Sundayevening.

According to a spokeswoman for UMC, Fortenberry was listed incritical condition Monday.

The cause of the accident is undetermined at this time.

“It’s still under investigation. They’re going to have to do areconstruction of the accident today,” said Pittman.

Funeral services for Thurman were still incomplete thismorning.