James Island council tables resolution to name Fort Johnson–Secessionville intersection after teen killed in 2015 crash

The Town Council of James Island voted unanimously to table Resolution 2025-07, which would have named the intersection of Fort Johnson Road and Secessionville Road in memory of Gabriel Seagraves, a teenager killed in 2015.

The council deferred the item after lengthy public comment from residents and faith leaders who urged the council to balance honoring Seagraves with recognition of the long history of St. James Presbyterian Church at that corner. Mayor Brooke Lyon opened the discussion by noting the intersection is on a state-owned road and that naming approvals require South Carolina Department of Transportation action. She said the council would "table this" to explore alternatives that might allow both family recognition and historic commemoration.

Why it matters: The intersection is a site of recurring safety concerns and strongly held local memories. Several speakers framed the question as both a public-safety issue and a dispute over how to honor competing local histories. Council members said they want to find a solution that recognizes the Seagraves family while respecting the church’s historical presence.

Public testimony: Reverend Dr. Brian Henderson, senior pastor of St. James Presbyterian Church, asked that the church and the surrounding community be consulted and considered before the town pursues a naming tied to a single individual. "The members of Saint James are quite concerned about the possibility of that," Henderson said, urging broader consultation.

Several descendants and longtime island residents urged the council to consider naming the corner for former pastors who led a historically Black congregation there. Bill Covey Wilder, who identified himself as a former town councilman and local historian, noted the church’s founding in 1866 and asked the council to "rethink that resolution and rename that corner as one of our pastor[s]."

Family and friends of Gabriel Seagraves asked the council to proceed with the proposed honor. Lawton Lyons, who called for the memorial, described the crash and said naming the intersection would "commemorate him" and could also "raise awareness of the need for pedestrian walkways" at the curve where the crash occurred. Hannah Smith, a friend of Gabriel, said, "Gabriel was one of the sweetest kids you would ever know. He was outgoing, creative, artistic, and overall a beautiful soul."

Council deliberations and next steps: Mayor Brooke Lyon and other council members said they had discussed the issue with state legislators and would explore alternatives, including a memorial or naming at a nearby location that may fit within the state’s naming process. Councilman Troy Mullenax said the council would revisit the item next month after working with residents and the legislative delegation to identify options that "both sides will come away with permanent recognition."

Formal action: The council’s motion to table Resolution 2025-07 carried unanimously on a roll-call vote.

The town will return to the subject at a future meeting after additional outreach to the Seagraves family, St. James Presbyterian Church leaders and the state transportation representatives.