2 HS students killed when driver's ed vehicle collides with tractor trailer
WARWICK, N.Y. -- Two high school students were killed and at least four other people injured after a tractor-trailer collided with a packed teen driver training vehicle in Warwick, N.Y., Tuesday morning.
Goshen High School students Antonio Baglivo and Paul Vandoran, both 16, died in the crash, while students Lucas O'Connor and Claudia Krebs are being treated at Westchester Medical Center for very serious injuries.
The students were taking a driving lesson Tuesday morning when police say their Chevy Malibu sedan approached a flashing red light at Blooms Corner Road and County Road. The driver of the tractor trailer says the car initially stopped, but then pulled into the intersection and into his path.
The two kids who died were in the back seat, along with O'Connor. Krebs was behind the wheel, with the 60-year-old instructor in the passenger seat. He was not seriously hurt.
"They were special kids, unique personalities, liked by their friends," superintendent Dan Connor said. "They're two kids that will be missed come the start of the school year."
The driving school is based in Middletown, but offers classes to Goshen students.
"Full of life," school board member Judy Green said. "Kids involved in a lot of activities, and had a lot of friends. It's hard to talk. It's a devastating day for Goshen."
School officials have grief counselors ready on Wednesday for students, parents and anyone who needs them.
As so many mourn the loss of such young promising lives, neighbors and town leaders point to an ongoing problem.
"We have made numerous requests over the past eight years to have that light be a fully functional traffic light," Warwick Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton said. "It's a county road. We've made those requests to Orange County. The previous administration in Orange County has deemed through their analysis that it didn't warrant it. However, we argue due to the number of incidents at that intersection that it certainly warrants it. This case underscores how much it warrants it."
No one has been charged or ticketed.
The crash remains under investigation.
Here is the full text of the letter Connor sent to parents and students:
Dear Goshen community members,
I write this letter with deep sadness and a heavy heart. On Tuesday, July 14, four Goshen High School students were involved in a tragic automobile accident while participating in the driver's education summer program.
Lucas O'Connor and Claudia Krebs were severely injured and transported to area hospitals. Antonio Baglivo and Paul VanDoran died as a result of their injuries.
Grief counselors will be available for students and staff members as we navigate through this difficult time, beginning at noon Wednesday, July 15 in the Goshen High School main gym; please park in the main parking lot and enter through the front entrance. The county wide BOCES crisis team has been alerted and is available for additional support. We will continue to have these services available for students and staff as long as necessary.
I encourage families to communicate with their children as much as possible. If parents/guardians feel that they need advice about how to speak with their children or what to share, they should feel free to reach out to the Guidance Department and speak to a counselor who can offer support. Additional resources are:
--Orange County Helpline: 1-800-832-1200
--Mobile Mental Health Team: 1-888-750-2266
--Orange County Department of Mental Health: 845-291-2600
I realize that this is an extremely difficult time for everyone in the Goshen community. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the students involved in this tragedy.
Sincerely,
Superintendent Daniel Connor
