Provided by Patrick Nye

Students mourn the loss of principal Kraig Kelican at a candlelight vigil.

This article is part of an ongoing series of articles on Principal Kraig Kelican. For the full list, see fhsfalconer.com/kelican.

This article’s headline and content has repeatedly changed as new information has became available. It currently reflects the most recent information available.

UPDATE (10/02): Sgt. Brent Coffey of the Virginia State Police confirmed additional details of the Sept. 6 vehicle accident today that would ultimately cause principal Kraig Kelican to succumb to his injuries. “A 2018 Ford F150 [Kelican], a 2019 Ford F350, and a 2023 Subaru Outback were travelling eastbound on I-66 when they all stopped due to heavy traffic. A 2008 Cadillac CTS that was also travelling eastbound was unable to stop rear-ended the Ford F150, which set off a chain-reaction crash involving all four vehicles.” Coffey stated that all vehicle occupants were restrained at the time of the collision, and indicated in an earlier interview that drugs or alcohol were not currently suspected to be the cause of the incident. The driver of the Cadillac that rear-ended Kelican’s vehicle was identified as Daniel R. Sisk of Linden, who was taken to the hospital for minor injuries. Coffey confirmed that “Charges are pending as the crash remains under investigation with consultation with the Commonwealth’s Attorney Office.”

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PREVIOUS UPDATE (09/21): Acting principal Jim Raines confirmed to students in an assembly Thursday morning that former principal Kraig Kelican passed away from his injuries sustained during a severe motor vehicle accident on I-66 two weeks ago. Raines stated that Kelican passed away peacefully at 5 a.m. on Thursday surrounded by family. Counselors and therapy dogs are stationed around the school to assist students and faculty in need of support. In an email, Superintendent Dr. Major Warner wrote, “Our hearts are heavy, and we ask that you keep the Kelican Family, and the entire Falcon Nation in your thoughts and prayers today, and moving forward. Kraig spent his entire career supporting the students of Fauquier County Public Schools, and this loss has affected all of us deeply…Today we are all Falcons.”

PREVIOUS UPDATE (09/08): Sgt. Brent Coffey of the Virginia State Police confirmed the details of the crash involving principal Kraig Kelican to The Falconer in an emailed statement. Coffey said “At 6:40 a.m. Wednesday (Sept. 6), Virginia State Police responded to a four-vehicle crash on the eastbound Interstate 66 at the 23-mile marker in Fauquier County. Three vehicles were stopped due to heavy traffic when a fourth vehicle was unable to stop and rear-ended one of the stopped vehicles, which set off a chain reaction crash.” Coffey indicated that the vehicle that Kelican was in suffered the majority of the impact from the vehicle that was unable to stop. Coffey also indicated that drugs or alcohol were not suspected to be the cause of the incident, and wrote that two other individuals were transported to local hospitals for treatment of minor injuries.

Editor’s note: The Falconer is heartbroken by the passing of Mr. Kelican. For the editor’s full statement about his passing, a photo collage, and tributes by students, visit fhsfalconer.com/kelican.