Crescent Twp. teenager killed in crash in Franklin Park, community shows support for family
FRANKLIN PARK – A local teenager was killed in an Interstate 79 accident Wednesday night.
According to state police reports, the one-vehicle crash occurred when 18-year-old Luke Cooper, of Crescent Township, was driving along I-79 just north of the Interstate 279 split. State police said the crash may have occurred when the vehicle hit standing water and hydroplaned.
Upon impact with a guardrail, the end of the structure was sheared off, causing the end of the rail to become impaled in the rear passenger door. As a result of this impact, Cooper was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene.
Another teenage passenger was in the vehicle during the time of the accident, but first responders report the passenger only suffered minor injuries and was treated at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.
A GoFundMe campaign was started by Deena Skwortz, a friend of the Cooper family, after the accident to help cover the family's funeral expenses. On the page, family and friends have shared found memories of Cooper and his role in the local hockey community.
"On Thursday, March 22, 2023, a young vibrant soul with a contagious smile left this earth way too soon," Skwortz said on the page. "He was an energetic young man who had a love for hockey! Those that have seen him play could see it in his face with the sparkle in his eyes that lit up the rink."
As of Friday afternoon, the campaign had surpassed its $10,000 goal and raised over $45,000 for the grieving family.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Crescent Twp. teenager killed in crash, community supporting family
