Randy Runyan, 21, killed and Robert Cowie, 79, injured in car crash on May 14 on Memorial Parkway.

The 2011 valedictorian from Highlands High School was killed in an auto accident just days after returning from college for the summer.

Randy Runyan, 21, was driving his grandfather to get a haircut when his vehicle was struck by a truck on Memorial Parkway in Fort Thomas Wednesday afternoon.

Runyan was pronounced dead upon his arrival at the hospital.

This is the type of news "you have nightmares" about getting, said Highlands High School Principal Brian Robinson.

"It is my understanding he was only back in town for a few days," Robinson said.

Runyan was an "exceptionally quiet and polite" young man who tended to be a little shy. But his death has affected the whole town, Robinson said.

"It's a young man who had just an enormous amount of potential and an enormous amount of talent. It's definitely a tragedy," he said.

Runyan's 79-year-old grandfather, Robert Cowie, was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center after the crash.

He was still in critical condition Thursday morning, according to Lt. Rich Whitford of the Fort Thomas Police Department.
The truck that struck Runyan was operated by 19-year-old Mitch Miller of Cold Spring. Miller was taken to St. Elizabeth's Hospital as a precaution and was released, Whitford said.