GhLinks Media
A Dublin Jerome High School student lost their life in a car accident on Monday night.
The incident occurred around 9:15 pm at the Powell Grand Communities apartment complex, located on Club Way Court.
The 16-year-old student, identified as Ethan Blecke, was a passenger in the vehicle.
The driver, also 16, is facing charges related to the crash.
Ethan Blecke, was taken to Riverside Methodist Hospital where he was pronounced dead hours later.
Police Chief Ron Sallows said one other person was hospitalized and is now listed as stable. Three others were treated at the scene.
Sallows said it appears a 16-year-old boy was driving a Tesla, with five other people inside the vehicle, at a high rate of speed when he hit a speed bump, lost control and struck several other vehicles.
The Tesla also hit part of a garage attached to one of the apartment buildings.
Two of the six people were reportedly inside a trunk of the Tesla when the crash happened. Police did not say if Blecke, a passenger in the vehicle, was one of those two people. No one inside the apartment was hurt.
Mike Aurin, the principal of Dublin Jerome, confirmed Blecke was a student at the school.
Aurin said there is a crisis intervention team with trained professionals for students and staff during this difficult time. There will also be counselors available on Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
“Our heartfelt sympathy and prayers go out to Ethan’s family, friends, and all others in our community who knew and loved Ethan,” Aurin wrote in a statement to the Dublin Jerome community.
Charges of aggravated vehicular homicide, aggravated vehicular assault and reckless operation were filed against the teenage driver.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
