|
|
By ERIC SLAGLE Daily News StafWriter
eslagle@dailynewsemail.com
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.
|
|