A former two-time collegiate national champion pole vaulter and Dutch Fork High School graduate was killed in a car accident in Georgia on March 6.

Columbia International University issued a release announcing the death of John-Hunter James of Irmo. It reported he was the only fatality in the car, in which there were three other CIU students.

According to Gordie Frierson, the school's sports information director, the accident took place on Interstate 85 in the southbound lane between Atlanta and LaGrange, Ga. 

A source with knowledge of the accident said it took place in the early morning hours and James was a passenger. 

The other three students were treated for minor injuries, according to the CIU press release.

No details were available in regards to the location in Georgia, the cause of the collision and the number of vehicles involved. Courtney Floyd, the Georgia State Patrol’s public information officer, issued a statement indicating the case is still under investigation and the incident report will not be complete for a few days. 

A class of 2019 graduate of Dutch Fork, James was a senior business major and one of the most decorated athletes in CIU’s history, university officials said.

He's the only CIU athlete in school history to win the NAIA national championship. He won the pole vault in both events in 2020 and 2021 and was a two-time All-American.

James also won the Gamecock Opener as a freshman. 

James was “everything you could ever want in a CIU student-athlete,” CIU Athletic Director Darren Richie is quoted in the release. “Before each meet he would pray with both his teammates and competitors. His life was full of evidence of his love for Jesus Christ."

James' high school alma mater also offers words of praise.

"John was the epitome of a student-athlete," Dutch Fork Principal Gerald Gary said in a statement. "He kept a laser focus on his academics while excelling in athletics. With a welcoming personality, John was a friend to all.  The Silver Fox Family is saddened by the news of John's passing and mourns alongside the James family."

CIU said it’s offering counseling services to students, faculty and staff and also asked the community to pray for James’ family.

“It is extremely rare to find an athlete of John-Hunter’s caliber who is also a great student and an even better individual,” Richie is quoted. “His legacy at CIU will last a very long time, and I am just happy we got to call John-Hunter one of our own.”