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Knoch HS student identified as victim of fatal Route 8 crash

PENN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A Knoch High School student has been identified as the victim of a fatal crash Wednesday afternoon on Route 8 in Penn Township, Butler County.

Penn Township police said 16-year-old Cameron Ashton was a passenger in an SUV that was involved in a rollover crash around 3 p.m.

Authorities said the driver of the SUV lost control of the vehicle, which flipped several times, hit a building and then landed on its roof. Chopper 11 flew over the scene, which was in front of McBride Station, a bar.

“I heard a rumble, and I turned and looked and I saw the underside of the Jeep pass by my window,” she said.

Police said Cameron was ejected from the SUV and pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the SUV is also a 16-year-old who attends Knoch High School. He was injured in the crash, but is expected to be OK, officials said. Witnesses said the driver told them he was wearing his seatbelt.

The following statement was posted Wednesday evening on the South Butler County School District’s website:

“South Butler County School District administrators were made aware of a tragic accident on Route 8 that resulted in the loss of life of one Knoch High School student early this evening. Another student was also injured in the crash. Limited details of the death will be made public as the district wishes to respect the privacy of the family. The student was loved and respected by teachers and students, and this loss will have a great impact on the school community; therefore, the school is providing counseling services to any high school or middle school student who may need comfort and support during this sorrowful time.”

An investigation into the crash is ongoing.

Cox Media Group

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