SAXONBURG, Pa. — A family is grieving after a young boy and his grandfather were killed in a crash in Winfield Township over the weekend.
Zane Rupert, 12, and his grandfather, David Faulx, 65, were killed in a crash with a commercial truck Friday night.
RELATED COVERAGE >> Saxonburg community mourning loss of youth football player who died in crash in Winfield Township
Zane’s stepdad said they were heartbroken when they heard the news.
“And it was like our entire world just fell apart in that one moment,” DanSquire said.
State police say Faulx was driving on Winfield Road and approached a sharp curve at the same time as a semi-truck going in the opposite direction. Police say Faulx was driving too fast and went into the other lane, hitting the semi head-on.
Zane’s dad Josh Rupert says he was the sweetest kid, very adventurous, outgoing, funny, lived life to the fullest, had a bright smile and his energy always lit up a room.
Zane played for the Saxonburg Spartans, a youth football organization. He was a 7th grader at Knoch Middle School.
“He was a great teammate, friend and he loved his family to death. He would do anything for us,” Rupert said.
Rupert said Zane was very appreciative and put family first.
“Coming from a 12-year-old boy who doesn’t care about anything but being with his family just shows truly the type of person he truly was,” Rupert said.
The Saxonburg Spartans team posted number 95 on its Facebook page to honor Zane. They will also have a moment of silence for him at this weekend’s game.
The entire community has also rallied together and is helping the family with funeral expenses with a fundraiser.
“With all the community support we received from Knoch, Spartans and Butler in general, we can’t say enough how much we appreciate the help we got,” Squire said.
Friends, teammates, and anyone who knew Zane or his grandfather are able to attend the viewing here at the Fox Funeral Home on Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be private.
For the upcoming days and weeks, the Knoch School District has counselors on hand for students.
Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW