1 Dead, 1 Injured In Washington Co. Crash
BLAINE TOWNSHIP (KDKA) – A 19-year-old man was killed and a 17-year-old girl was seriously injured in an accident early Saturday morning in Washington County.
According to Pennsylvania State Police, the single-vehicle accident happened on State Route 221 in Blaine Township around 2:30 a.m.
Authorities say the driver of the Jeep Cherokee lost control while negotiating a left curve in the road. The vehicle slid sideways and rolled over.
The driver of the vehicle, identified by officials as Christopher Wetzel, 19, of West Alexander, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was a graduate of McGuffey High School and a long-time member of the volunteer fire department.
"He loved it; he's been a volunteer firefighter for going on two years or so," said Corey Hall, Wetzel's friend. "Everybody loved Chris."
Wetzel and the girl were ejected from the vehicle. She suffered major injuries in the crash.
An 18-year-old male, identified as Paul Shirley, was also in the vehicle, but he was not hurt.
Meanwhile, the crash has left a community in mourning. Friends say Wetzel would do anything for anyone and will be sorely missed.
"I know when I needed help… he would stop what he was doing and help me, and help me with anything. He was a good kid," Hall added.
"He's the second kid that we know that graduated or was about to graduate that was in a car accident and died. No point in dying at all; makes you think life's short," said Zack Gray, another friend of the victim.
State police are investigating the cause of the accident.
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