Teen dies following vehicle crash

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A local teenager died as a result of injuries sustained in a single-vehicle crash from Sunday morning.

According to Champaign County Sheriff Matt Melvin, Mackenzee Hartley, 18, of Mechanicsburg, died Sunday at 9 p.m.

Sheriff deputies and West Liberty Fire and EMS responded to the crash at state Route 296 and Upper Valley Pike just north of Urbana at 2:57 a.m. Sunday.

Investigators determined a male juvenile was driving westbound on state Route 296 when his vehicle went off the roadway to the right, striking an embankment and causing the driver and two occupants to be ejected from the vehicle.

Matthew King, 20, of West Liberty, was as stable at Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton, Monday while a 17-year-old occupant remained in serious condition at the hospital on Monday.

Mechanicsburg Exempted Village School District Superintendent Danielle Prohaska said Hartley was part of the high school’s 2015 graduating class.

“This tragedy has hit home for all of us, the students, the staff and for the community,” Prohaska said Monday.

She added a prayer vigil was held Sunday evening and students, community members, and school staff members attended. The district had grief counselors and local clergy available on Monday and Prohaska said the district has additional resources available for anyone in need throughout the summer.

Prohaska added the district plans to send parents information on talking to children about the loss of a peer.

“We really want the students in the community to understand that the emotions that they’re feeling right now are normal, that they’re not alone and that we’re here to support them,” she said.

Melvin said the sheriff’s office was continuing to investigate the crash Monday, speaking with witnesses that might have knowledge as to where the occupants were prior to the crash.

Melvin noted alcohol was located at the scene of the crash and is believed to have been a contributing factor.

None of the occupants were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

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