By ERIC SLAGLE Daily News StafWriter

  A Hot Wheels Mustang. A teddy bear wearing an Elizabeth Forward T-shirt. Scented candles. A pot of tulips.
  These were among the items that were collecting next to a telephone pole along Weigles Hill Road near Elizabeth Forward High School Thursday, a day after high school senior Joseph “Joey” Fisher, 17, lost his life in a car crash at dismissal time.
  On Wednesday at 2:26 p.m., Fisher left the high school parking lot in a Ford Mustang, traveled a short distance along Weigles Hill Road at what police believe was a high rate of speed, and struck a retaining wall in front of a house across the street from the high school campus.
  The teen was alone in the car and no other vehicles are believed to have been involved in the crash. Fisher was pronounced dead at Jefferson Regional Medical Center an hour later.
  The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office said Thursday Fisher died of blunt force trauma to the head. His death was ruled accidental.
  The school district had nine counselors on duty to talk with students who were upset about the crash. One school staff member said Thursday was a “sad day” at the school.
  A retired Elizabeth Forward teacher who lives near the crash site who did not wish to be identified said the roads around the building can be dangerous at dismissal time.
  “They have a lot of students who come running out of there when the bell rings trying to beat the bus,” he said.
  Tire tracks were still visible a day later from where Fisher’s car swerved across the road and impacted the wal. Witnesses told police the car’s tires smoked and the vehicle fish-tailed just before the crash.
  Elizabeth Township police Chief Robert McNeilly said witnesses also said they saw two other vehicles speed out of the park­ing lot before Fisher puled out.
  McNeilly said police aren’t sure how fast the car was traveling. He said the crash will not be investigated by Alegheny County police as many other fatal crashes are because this one only involved a single driver and vehicle.
  The school district canceled Wednesday night events after the crash occurred.

Fisher
 


sympathy to Joey’s family and friends,” he said.
  School district spokeswom­an Jane Milner said Thursday, “It’s a very tragic time in the school district and the teach­ers and the students are trying to deal with the loss of Joey today.”
  The district has had its share of fatal accidents over the years and is proactive in trying to educate students on safety behind the wheel.
  McNeilly said, “I’m sure this incident will be discussed in the future with the students at the school.”
 


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  On Thursday, the dis­trict issued a statement from Superintendent Michael Latusek.
  “On behalf of the entire district, I would like to express our heartfelt

 

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