Two Tulpehocken Jr. Sr. High teens were killed as the result of injuries sustained in a vehicle accident in Upper Tulpehocken Township on Dec. 26.
State Police Hamburg reported that a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero, driven by a 17-year-old teen boy from Womelsdorf, was headed south on Bricker Road approaching the intersection of Oakhill and Henne Road in Upper Tulpehocken Township at 4:32 p.m. The driver lost control of the vehicle and veered to the left, traveling off the roadway to the east side where it struck a large tree.
Police report that the impact with the tree caused the vehicle to split in half and separate into a field.
Passengers Sean Orner, 18, of Bethel, and Shanon Althouse, 18, of Womelsdorf, suffered fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased at the scene, according to State Police.
The driver sustained moderate injuries. Police did not identify the driver.
Investigation continues.Orner and Althouse were students at Tulpehocken Junior-Senior High School.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families involved in this tragedy. We will continue to support our students and community,” in a statement from the district.
The junior-senior high school was open Dec. 27 until 2 p.m. and on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with counselors available in the Jr. Sr. High School Library.
“When students return on Jan. 2, we will continue to support both students, staff, and family in any way we can.”
