A 16-year-old from Petersburg was killed Friday, June 26 in an ATV crash.
In a June 27 letter to Summerfield Schools’ families, staff and community, Superintendent August Ost identified the teen as Conor Harrigan, a junior at Summerfield High School.
A community gathering, hosted by Summerfield Schools, is planned for 7-8:30 p.m. Saturday, June 27 at the district’s footfall field. In the letter, Ost said local pastors and mental health professionals will be present to offer support.
Summerfield Schools also will have mental health professionals and local pastors at Summerfield High School from noon-6 p.m. Wednesday, July 1. Students and community members are welcome.
The crash was reported about 5:24 p.m. Friday and occurred in a private field in the 19700 block of Taft Road in Summerfield Township, reported the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office in a news release.
Preliminary investigation reveals that the teen was operating a blue and black 2021 Polaris Ranger in a private field south of Taft Road. Two juvenile passengers were also in the vehicle.
While negotiating a curve, the operator lost control of the Polaris, leaving the main path to the north. The operator attempted to correct the vehicle’s direction, causing the Polaris to overturn onto its left side ejecting all three occupants, according to the news release.
Alcohol is not a factor in the collision. None of the occupants were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. The two juvenile passengers were treated and released; however, both were transported to a local hospital by their parents as a precaution, according to the news release.
Ost said Summerfield Schools is in close contact with the Harrigan family and the public is welcome at Saturday’s gathering.
“We invite all members of our community to join us as we remember and honor Conor and support one another as we begin to process this unimaginable tragedy,” Ost said in the letter. “Our hearts are with his family, friends, classmates, teachers and all who knew and loved him during this incredibly difficult time.”
“As a close-knit community, we are reminded of the strength we find in caring for one another. We encourage families to spend time talking to their children, to extend kindness and compassion to those who may be struggling and to reach out if additional support is needed. Please keep Conor’s family and loved ones in your thoughts as we come together with compassion, understanding and care. Although his life was taken far too soon, the kindness, joy and positive impact he had on those around him will remain with our school community for years to come,” Ost said in the letter.
Members of the Summerfield Township Fire Department, Monroe Community Ambulance and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Victim Services Unit and Chaplain Program assisted at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation by Lt. Brian Quinn and Deputy Sheriffs Cody Carena and Hunter Chirillo of the Traffic Services Division.
Anyone with information is asked to call 734-240- 7548. Anonymous tips can be called into Crime Stoppers at 1-800-speakup or submitted on its website.
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: 16-year-old from Petersburg killed in Friday crash
Reporting by Suzanne Nolan Wisler, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
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By Suzanne Nolan Wisler, The Monroe News | USA TODAY Network
