Memorial scholarship to honor Harrison High senior Olivia Pugh, who was struck in a Cobb crosswalk and passed away days later

Memorial scholarship launched to honor Harrison High senior Olivia Pugh, after an SUV struck her in a Cobb crosswalk.

Olivia Kate Pugh, a high-achieving Cobb County high school senior and multisport athlete, tragically lost her life at the age of 17, just two days after being struck by an allegedly drunk driver. Olivia was described by her family as kind, loving, determined, hard-working, and full of life.

Pugh’s father wrote on a GoFundMe page saying, “Olivia was deeply loved by her family, friends and her classmates at Harrison High School. In honor of her, this scholarship will go to a hard-working and highly motivated student at Harrison High School.” 

With an initial goal of $15,000, the scholarship has far exceeded expectations, having raised nearly $64,000 from 621 generous donors. This outpouring of support reflects the impact that Olivia had on her community.

Olivia excelled academically as the president of the Beta Club and a member of the National Honor Society and Science Honor Society. She was also actively involved in sports, participating in softball, flag football, basketball, and track. Additionally, Olivia worked at Chick-fil-A, showcasing her commitment to various aspects of her life.

The tragic incident that led to her death occurred when Olivia was with friends. She was struck by an SUV near Kennesaw at 8:20 p.m. on Ben King Road. Olivia was thrown into a wooded area by the impact and was transported to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital in critical condition. Despite efforts, she succumbed to her injuries on Sunday.

Jerome L. Cox of Powder Springs, the driver of the vehicle, admitted to having been drinking at the scene but refused to provide a breath sample. Cox faces charges including first-degree vehicular homicide, DUI, obstruction, and failure to yield to a pedestrian. He has been denied bond and is in custody at the Cobb jail.

Harrison High School classmates have been paying tribute to Olivia with moments of silence, reflecting the impact she had on the school community. Olivia’s funeral is scheduled at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marietta.

Her obituary painted a vivid picture of Olivia’s joyful personality, emphasizing her ability to find laughter and joy in the small things. The scholarship established in her memory aims to carry forward Olivia’s spirit of hard work and dedication.

Cox was denied bond and remains in the Cobb jail.