Lenape High School senior killed, 2 others injured after car collides with tractor-trailer

HOPEWELL TWP., N.J. (WPVI) -- A high school senior is dead and two others are injured after a head-on crash involving a car and a tractor-trailer in New Jersey.

A letter from the principal of Lenape High School in Burlington County confirmed the students' involvement.

The students were not named in the letter.

"They talked over the loudspeaker saying who he was and how tragic it was and how unexpected it was," said Alex Hamilton, a Senior at Lenape High School.

The crash happened just days after Lenape's senior prom and just a few weeks before graduation.

"Being in class, and seeing the seat in the class knowing it's not going to be filled by him again is very traumatizing," said Salvatore Neri, a senior at Lenape High School.

It happened around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday in Hopewell Township, Mercer County.

According to police, the driver of a Honda Civic left the southbound lane of Route 31 and crashed into the tractor-trailer near Titus Mill Road and Hopewell Pennington Road.

A driver and two passengers were in the Honda. One of the occupants died while the two other victims sustained serious injuries, police said.

Lenape High School Principal Tony Cattani said in the letter that the three students were friends and members of the Class of 2025.

"Our thoughts are with all of the families involved during this extremely difficult time. As we navigate this loss, I know, as always, our school community will come together to support one another with compassion and care," Cattani wrote.

The Burlington County Crisis Response Team was being made available to students and staff on Wednesday to assist those in need of emotional support.

Members of the school community in need of additional support are urged to contact the Lenape Counseling Center at 609-654-5111, ext. 3340 or 33600.