Penn Hills High School Football Player Killed In Car Crash
PENN HILLS (KDKA) -- Donovan Baynes, 17, a star player on the Penn Hills High School football team was killed in a car crash. His girlfriend Alexis Rhone was hurt. Police believe his car went out of control and slammed into a tree in the 600-block of Rodi Road.
"We don't know what happened but sadly he's not with us anymore and it's sickening," said Penn Hills Quarterback Club President Bill Navari.
The Penn Hills School District is mourning the loss and asking why.
"It's not like he was doing something he should not have been doing, he was driving down Rodi Road and the next thing you know his life is gone and everybody behind us is left to deal with it," Navari said.
Teammate Erik Antonucci said Baynes was a leader on the football team.
"He always brought the team up, he was one of the best people on defense he energized us at halftime and before the game," Antonucci said.
Donavan Baynes was an exceptional athlete and a good student who had received a number of offers from local colleges. KDKA is told he had just returned from a recruiting visit at one of those schools before he crashed on Rodi Road.
"He was going to school because he was looking for his future," Navari said.
People who knew Baynes say he was more than a standout athlete, he was also described as a good person in the halls at school and in the community.
"I feel bad for his mom, to know that her son died, I don't know what my mom would do she would be very upset, my prayers go out to his family," one friend said
Grief counselors will be available at Penn Hills High School when classes resume on Tuesday.
The Penn Hills Quarterback Club has set up a GoFundMe to raise money to help the family with funeral expenses. They say they would also like to create a scholarship in Baynes's name.
Donations can be made here: gofundme.com/donovan-baynes-funeral-memorial
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