A Conestoga Valley High School football player died by suicide at his home after being an occupant in a car that crashed into a Lancaster County field, killing his teammate, police said Thursday.
He was one of three occupants in the vehicle. Police have not confirmed who was driving.
The vehicle was owned by the father of an 18-year-old girl who was seriously injured in the early morning crash June 25 in the 500 block of Willow Road in East Lampeter Township.
Police were called to the scene about 12:13 a.m., where they found a Hyundai had rolled over after leaving the northbound lanes of Willow Road north of Forry Road for an unknown reason. The two-lane road is straight and surrounded by mostly farmland.
A 16-year-old occupant of the vehicle was found dead under the vehicle, police said. An online fundraiser to help pay for funeral expenses identified him as Tyreese Smith.
His obituary said he recently completed his sophomore year, loved sports and would be remembered for his countless selfless acts. His funeral is planned for July 5.
An 18-year-old girl, who recently graduated from Conestoga Valley, was located at the scene of the crash and taken to a hospital.
While investigators were still at the scene, police were called to a home where a 17-year-boy died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The boy had been an occupant of the vehicle, police said.
It remains unclear what lead to the vehicle leaving the road and rolling over.
The school district and coroner originally said the suicide and fatal car crash were linked but the connection was unclear until police provided their update Thursday.
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