By Emily Enfinger | The Selma Times-Journal

Authorities have identified the Selma City Schools employee who was struck by a car and killed Thursday at Michael Charles King.

King, who was 49, was taking out trash when he was hit between 2:30 and 3 p.m. right before school adjourned for the day.

Selma Police Department Sgt. Roy Nix said Lily Watts, 66, was driving to the school’s back parking lot when she claims her brakes failed and she lost control of her car.

King was pinned between the car and a dumpster. He was taken to Vaughan Regional Medical Center and died before LifeFlight could transport him to a trauma center in Birmingham.

Watts and her two passengers were taken to Vaughan Medical Center. Nix said the three had minor abrasions. Their current condition was unknown Friday afternoon.

No charges have been filed, and the case is still under investigation.

Angela Mangum, Selma City Schools’ superintendent, said King worked as a Child Nutrition Program custodian for 22 years at R. B. Hudson Middle School.

“Mr. King was well-liked and respected by the students and the faculty staff at Hudson,” Mangum said. “A lot of the students knew him and interacted with him on a daily basis.”

She said additional counselors have been made available at the school for students and faculty as they grieve the loss.

“They are there, of course, to talk to any students that were overcome with emotions and wanted to talk about the unfortunate passing of Mr. King,” Magnum said.

Magnum said the scene of the accident was cleaned early Friday.

She said R. B. Hudson’s principal, LaShonda Moorer, is allowing a small temporary memorial to be erected at the scene of the accident.

“Students, family or community members that want to lay their token of remembrance of Mr. King, they can do that,” Mangum said.

Mangum said the board of education and Selma City Schools system are making plans to honor King.

“We are going to honor him on behalf of the board and Selma City School system with a resolution that’s planned,” Mangum said. “And any other memorial that is still being formulated at this time.”

Lewis Brothers Funeral Home is making funeral arrangements, which will be announced at a later date.