Superintendent: Hickory school community 'completely heartbroken'
Calling the two Hickory High School teens who died in a traffic accident Sunday night, "wonderful students", school superintendent Daniel Bell told 21 News that the entire district is completely heartbroken.
Calling the two Hickory High School teens who died in a traffic accident Sunday night, "wonderful students," school superintendent Daniel Bell told 21 News that the entire district is completely heartbroken.
Bell said counselors are available at the school today to help classmates and staff cope with the deaths of 16-year-old Alexis Myers and 15-year-old Danielle Nelson, who were killed in the I-80 eastbound crash in East Lackawannock Township at around 6:30 pm.
State Police say snowy weather was a factor in a crash that claimed the lives of two Hickory High School students on Sunday.
Coroner John Libonati said there were four girls in the SUV. They were traveling to a faith-based program at Grove City College.
The driver of the SUV lost control and spun out, according to police. The car was then hit by a tractor-trailer.
Myers and Nelson died at the scene.
The other two girls in the car, one of them the 17-year-old driver, were taken to the hospital and then transported to a trauma center in Pittsburgh.
State police believe those two victims, whose names have not been released, suffered significant injuries. Superintendent Bell did not have an update on their conditions Monday morning.
Bell said a crisis team met Sunday night to make plans to help the community deal with the tragedy. He said they are committed to supporting the families of the victims.
According to Bell, the start of classes was delayed by two hours on Monday, due to the accident and winter weather conditions.
Kennedy Catholic High School's Twitter page expresses condolences and is asking for prayers.
State Police say two semi-tractor trailers were involved in the accident. One driver, Fifty-three-year-old Michael Smith of New Berlin, Pa., was not injured.
The second truck driver, 37-year-old Jarmono Hogg of Fairview Park, Ohio was taken to Grove City Medical Center for treatment of injuries.
There were multiple accidents on I-80 in Mercer County around 7 p.m. Sunday evening.
This was the only accident that was fatal.
A portion of I-80 in Mercer County was closed down due to the accident.
This is a developing story. Stay with 21 News for more information as it becomes available. Download the 21 News app for the very latest.