A Pennsylvania prep student was killed in a freak accident after a deer hit by another car was flung through the windshield of his car as he was being driven to school.
Kevin Donohue, a student at Malvern Preparatory School, was killed in a crash on Route 322 in West Bradford Township around 7:15 a.m. Tuesday morning, 6 ABC Action News reported.
“Kevin was an exceptional young man who embodied the very best characteristics of a Malvern Prep student,” school officials said in a letter to the community. “He will be deeply missed.”
The teen, who was set to graduate from the Catholic all-boys school in 2027, was on the way to school when a vehicle traveling east struck a deer and sent it flying into the west lane.
The deer smashed through the windshield of another vehicle where Donohue was in the front passenger seat of that vehicle, authorities said. It was not immediately clear who was in the driver’s seat.
Donohue was taken to a hospital, where he later died, authorities said.
Authorities say the vehicle that first hit the deer did not stop. They believe that vehicle, possibly a black Toyota Sienna, likely suffered extensive damage.
Counseling services will be provided on campus to those needing support in light of the tragic loss, the school said.
“This loss is a profound tragedy that has impacted our students, faculty, staff, and community,” Head of School Patrick Sillup said in a statement. “Our immediate focus is on surrounding his family with compassion and ensuring that our students, faculty, and staff are supported as we grieve together.”
Residents of the area say deer are becoming increasingly more common in the area, leading to more and more crashes, especially when it’s dark out.
“It’s very dark,” Debbie Pope told the news station. “There’s a lot of roads, especially Boot Road and [Route] 322. I don’t even drive down there at night because I can’t even see and it’s difficult.”
