COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- A teenage boy was killed Friday morning in a two-vehicle crash, according to Colorado State Patrol.
The boy was identified as 15-year-old Kevin McDonald. He was a student at Woodland Park High School.
According to the Colorado State Patrol, the crash happened on Highway 24, two miles west of Woodland Park in front of Pikes Peak Regional Hospital.
Just after 7 a.m., 2007 tan Lincoln Navigator was making a left turn from westbound Highway 24 onto Piney Point Lane when it collided with a brown 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee, troopers said. The jeep had been traveling east through the intersection on Highway 24.
According to the state patrol, the Jeep then spun and the passenger side hit the traffic signal pole at the intersection. It also hit an electronics box.
The Jeep was driven by a 17-year-old unidentified boy from Divide. He was transported to Pikes peak Regional Hospital with minor injuries. Heather McDonald, a 14-year-old front passenger of the Jeep was also transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
Kevin McDonald, a backseat passenger, was transported to the hospital where he later died.
The Navigator was driven by 60-year-old Laverne Benner of Woodland Park. She was taken to the hospital, complaining of an injury, police said.
Everyone was wearing their seat belts, troopers said. Speed, alcohol and drugs are not being considered factors in this crash.
Investigation into this crash is ongoing. No charges have been filed.
Witnesses to this crash are asked to call the Colorado State Patrol at (719) 544-2424.
Statement from Woodland Park School District
With heavy hearts and deep sadness, we are mourning the loss of Kevin McDonald (15), a sophomore at Woodland Park High School. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kevin and his family.
This tragic loss will significantly impact our Woodland Park Community, and we ask that the press please respect the privacy of the McDonald family and our community as we all cope with this tragedy.
We have grief counseling structures in place to help our students, staff and community members.
Today, we created a grief support center in our high school library for students and staff. To assist our students, parents, families and staff during this difficult time, counselors will be available in the high
Statement from Woodland Park Mayor Dave Turley
It is with great sorrow that our community learned this morning of the accidental death of another one of our Woodland Park High School Students. 2012 was a tough year for our community with the Waldo Canyon Fire and the untimely deaths of several of our high school students via auto accident and natural causes. We were hoping that in 2013 that we could avoid such tragedy, but so many things are beyond our control.
We live in a great community that, unfortunately, has had to deal with several tragic events over the past year. It is so important for us all to remember the good times and to pull together to help each other through the difficult times. It is especially important for each of us to live each day to the fullest; give your loved ones an extra hug each day and tell them just how important they are to you!
On behalf of the Woodland Park City Council, our staff and our community, we send our deepest condolences, thoughts, and prayers to the McDonald family in Divide, and to our Woodland Park High School students and staff.