SMITH TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Officials said three people were killed Friday morning, including an 18-year-old high school student, in a head-on car crash in Smith Township.
According to police, the two-car accident happened around 8 a.m. on Joffre-Bulger Road in Washington County.
Smith Township police identified the victims as Aaron Herriott, 18, of Burgettstown, a senior at Burgettstown High School, and John Alouise and Debbie Alouise of Burgettstown.
According to investigators Herriott was speeding when he rounded a curve on Joffre-Bulger road, crossed the center line and hit an oncoming car head-on.
Family members of both Herriott and the Aloiuses arrived at the scene shortly after the crash. Herriott's cousin, Lindsay Herriott said her entire family is heartbroken.
"I love him and I miss him really bad," Lindsay Herriott said. "This is the second child his mother has lost so it's really hard."
Channel 11's Vince Sims reported that Herriott was on his way to school and was supposed to attend his school's prom Friday night.
Superintendent of Burgettstown Schools, Deborah Jackson, said students were told about Herriott's death in school. Jackson said his prom date wasn't told about the accident until her parents arrived at the school to comfort her.
"Because it happened so fast, my students are in shock," Jackson said.
Jackson said she and other school officials talked about cancelling the prom but decided his classmates would want to be together. Aaron's family members said they support that decision.
Police said Herriott along with John and Debbie Alouise were pronounced dead at the scene.
A fourth victim, the Alouises son Scott, was airlifted to a Pittsburgh hospital where he is listed in stable condition and is said to be released soon.
Neighbors said the Alouises were on their way to pick up their daughter, Marah, at Westminster College.
Marah’s friends said that when she received the news of the accident and her parents’ death, her friends gathered around her for support.
“We just all got around her,” said Hanna, a friend of Marah’s. “There were like 30 people in the room.”
Marah’s friends have set up a memorial page on Facebook to help her and her brother get through life without their parents.
“We love her and this community loves her,” said college friend Aleya Tylinski. “We will be there for her.”
On Monday afternoon, Marah made a Facebook post stating her was in stable condition and that he may be released soon.
“Scott might be able to come out of the hospital today,” the post stated. “Keep praying.”
Police said the crash is still being investigated.
WPXI
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