BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

LOVELY — An Inez teen who was a senior at the Martin County High School succumbed Friday to injuries sustained from a fall off the back of an ATV Nov. 18 at a location on North Wolf Creek in Lovely.

Phillip M. Speakman, 18, son of Tammy and Clayton Speakman, had remained on life support in the intensive care unit at the University of Kentucky Hospital in Lexington after having emergency surgery at the Pikeville Medical Center to relieve pressure and bleeding on his brain. Speakman suffered a severe head injury after falling backward from a moving ATV while riding with friends.

Speakman’s mother expressed her sorrow at the loss of her son and thanked all those who had prayed for his recovery, visited the hospital, and offered support to the family.

“He was my best friend, my life, the one that made me a momma,” said the mother in a social media post. “He was my baby boy and now he’s resting in the arms of Jesus.”

Larry James, superintendent of Martin County Schools, expressed his sadness at hearing of Speakman’s passing, saying that losing a student is difficult for students and faculty.

“Our prayers and condolences are with Phillip’s family and friends,” said James. “Losing a student to death is heartbreaking, and I know that teachers who had him in class are deeply saddened. We ask that everyone join us in praying for comfort and strength for the Speakman family and all who knew Phillip.”

Funeral services for Speakman will be held Thursday, Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. at the Crum Funeral Home Chapel in Inez. Instead of flowers, the family requests donations to the funeral home to help with the funeral cost. A GoFundMe account has also been set up on Facebook to assist the family with costs.