SALEM TOWNSHIP, Pa.,None — Three teens were killed in a crash Saturday in Salem Township, Westmoreland County.
According to State Police, a car traveling on Church Street left the road, went over a slight embankment and slammed into a tree.
The driver and two passengers were pronounced dead at the scene.
The victims were identified as Michael Richard Simpson, 19, of Greensburg; Jordan Daniel Cobb, 19, of Export; and Carly Marie Kudray, 18, of Export.
A third passenger, Chad Michael Vandergraft, 18, of Greensburg, was ejected from the car. He was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
All four were graduates of Greensburg-Salem High School and had been coming from a party, police said.
Vandergraft's father told Channel 11 Monday it's hard to believe his son was able to walk away from the accident.
"After seeing the car I mean there are times that I actually get a little teary because I can't believe it when I see it myself that my son had been able to, you know, walk away from that. More or less, it's pretty much up there by a miracle I think," said Shane Vandergraft.
Friends of the victims set up a memorial and have been visiting the crash site in the days since the accident happened.
Kudray's graduation party was supposed to be held Saturday. A friend said she was getting ready to go to college.
"She couldn't wait to go to Penn State. She was going to have a lot of fun and she was excited to go to college and have a good time," Dianna Bossart said.
"She was really outgoing and she loved everyone," said Miranda Crosby.
Kudray's closes friends are designing and selling bracelets in memory of her. The bracelets will help the teen's family with funeral costs.
"The front says, 'Forever Young,'" said Sara Zambotti. "And the inside says, 'Forever in our Hearts.' And she really will be forever in our hearts."
VIDEO: Bracelet Sale To Help With Funeral Costs
Grief counselors were available at the high school Monday to help students with their grieving process.
Simpson attended Penn State and Cobb attended IUP.
Investigators said the crash happened between 12:18 a.m. and 5:22 a.m., when a passerby, Bryan Kordell, noticed the wreckage.
"I got out and came down and seen an underside of a car. I hollered, screamed and tapped on the car door. I tried shaking her hand and nothing. And then called 911," Kordell said.
Firefighters told Channel 11 the force of the crash crushed the car's battery, turning off the lights and making it likely no one saw the crash in the dark.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.