An Oley Valley High School student has died and his brother has been hospitalized after a one-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon.
A Facebook post from Oley High School stated: “It is with a heavy heart that we share the following information. This evening, Oley Valley High School junior, Preston Rowe, was tragically killed in a car accident. His brother Payton was also in the car and was transported to the hospital for treatment. Counselors and staff will be available for students all day on Thursday in the high school library. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.”
According to reports from police, the accident occurred at in the area of 545 Oley Road in Ruscumbmanor Township around 5:51 p.m. Wednesday. The 2000 Toyota Avalon was headed westbound on Oley Road when the driver lost control of the car while trying to negotiate a left curve, police said. The vehicle then left the road and struck several trees.
Police did not identify the driver or the passenger by name in police reports but indicated that the driver was a 17-year-old male and that the passenger was a 16-year-old male.
Police said the driver was pronounced dead at the scene by the Berks County Coroner’s Office after succumbing to his injuries. The passenger was transported to the hospital by Oley EMS.
State Police were assisted at the scene by Oley Fire Company, Ruscombmanor Fire Company, Alsace Fire Company, Oley EMS and the Berks County Coroner’s Office.
State police troopers from the Reading barracks are continuing to investigate the crash.
