Teen Killed In Car Crash On Way To School
ROSTRAVER (KDKA) – Grief counselors will be in the Belle Vernon School District on Friday, after a high school junior - who would have celebrated her 17th birthday on Friday - was killed in a highway crash about 9:30 Thursday morning.
16-year old Leah Smith died as she driving to school on Salem Church Road.
She had just left home, when police said she lost control of her Honda Civic, came out of a curve, and the vehicle went off the road sideways.
The driver's side of the car struck the tree. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
As word of the fatal crash spread in the Belle Vernon Area School District, where there was a two hour delay because of the bitter cold, there was a sense of disbelief that reverberated through the school.
"It was really quiet, everyone was shocked, if you heard anything, it was just crying in the halls all day," senior Kali Griffith said.
"A lot of people were in shock when they found out about [the accident], it was not something we expected, and everyone was sad," senior Kristen Shaw said
Smith was alone in the car at the time of the accident. It still has not been determined if her cellphone was in use when the crash took place.
"Investigators believe speed was somewhat of a factor in the mishap," Rostraver Township Police Chief Greg Resetar said.
The Westmoreland County Coroner said Smith was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, and weather conditions did not play a role in the accident.
A statement from the Belle Vernon School Superintendent said, in part, "'please keep [the Smith family] in your hearts at this time."
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