Jonathan Kuta, 17, of Magnolia and senior at Magnolia High School, was killed in a car accident on FM 1488 on Nov. 19 around 4 p.m.

According to Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department (MVFD) Assistant Chief Gary Pangarakis, Kuta was headed east on FM 1488 in his blue pickup when he crossed over the dividing line into oncoming traffic and collided head on with a Ford.

The accident occurred just before Mapleleaf, the street on which Kuta and his family live.

Pangarakis said two units from the MVFD responded to the call and a medic was already on the scene when they arrived.

Kuta was pronounced dead at the scene by medics. The driver of the Ford truck, a 62-year-old male, was not seriously injured. Pangarakis said he was taken to a hospital for medical attention.

Magnolia High School (MHS) Principal Jeff Springer said the father, Larry Kuta, heard the accident happen.

“His father was only 100 yards away from the scene,” Springer said.

An officer at MHS who had become friends with Kuta told Springer he had just waved at Kuta as he was leaving the school and hours later was at the scene of the accident.

The accident was unable to be cleared until nearly 7 p.m. Pangarakis said law enforcement officials would be conducting an investigation to discover more information about the accident, such as if either party was speeding.

Springer said this is his ninth year at MHS and Kuta is the first senior to die in a car accident in a while.

“Wrecks happen in other areas also, but in a smaller community the impact is much greater,” Springer said.

Springer described Kuta as very well-liked.

“He was never in trouble; he had plans to go to college and he had a great group of friends,” Springer said.

According to Springer, Kuta was also involved in ROTC.

MHS announced that additional counselors would be on campus the week of Nov. 22 to meet with students or staff dealing with grief.

Springer visited the Kuta family on Nov. 21 and said they have supportive people around them. Springer also said the family had discussed creating a scholarship for seniors in Kuta’s name to help keep his memory alive.

According to family friend Steven Spellman, Kuta is the youngest of four. He and his sister, Brenda, worked together at Domino’s Pizza. He is also survived by his sister, Melinda, brother, Chris, father, Larry and mother, Terry.

A viewing was held at Klein Funeral Home Nov. 24. Funeral services were held at Klein Funeral Home Nov. 26.

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