Teenager dies days after crashing his car in Westmoreland County

LATROBE, Pa. — A teenager died days after he crashed his car in Westmoreland County.

It happened along Beatty County Road near Saint Vincent College in Latrobe on Wednesday afternoon.

According to state police, Joshua Nearanzio, 17, was trying to pass another car on the two-lane road when he lost control of his car, went off the roadway and hit a tree.

Nearanzio was rushed to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in critical condition. He died Saturday night from his injuries.

It wasn’t the Christmas LeeAnn Garel, his mother, had planned.

“I’m going to have to take it a day at a time. I don’t know what else to do really. I don’t think it’s completely sunk in yet,” Garel said.

Nearanzio’s brother said he wants to celebrate his life, and all the things he did in his 17 years and planned to do in the future.

He says Nearanzio was a kind, car-loving, funny soul who always put others before himself.

“What’s important is what we do while we’re here. So that’s what we’re going to focus on with Joshua and that’s how we’re going to memorialize him from this day forward,” Hiram Nearanzio said.

Joshua’s family said he helped so many people in his short lifetime, and even after his death he will continue to help others.

“His wish was to be an organ donor. He’s going to save so many lives and help so many people with his generous gift. And that makes me so proud of him,” Garel said.

A GoFundMe has been set up for his family. Click here if you would like to help.

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