Hinesburg, Vermont - January 27, 2012
A 16-year-old boy from Shelburne died in a car crash on his way to school in Hinesburg Friday morning.
Police have not confirmed the victim's name, but school officials say he is Zeke Kassel.
Police say the 17-year-old driver was headed east on Shelburne Falls Road at about 8 a.m. when he lost control of the car, went off the road, down an embankment and hit a tree. The driver and his 15-year-old sister, who was a passenger, were taken to the hospital as a precaution. Police say Kassel, who was also a passenger, was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Police say at this time speed does not appear to be a factor.
"The road conditions are a little bit slippery, but not so much that if one of his wheels left the road that could have actually caused him to lose control. But just driving on the regular pavement, it is a little bit slippery but there has been a lot of vehicles on the road today, too, so... " Hinesburg Police Chief Frank Koss said.
The road was closed for about two hours while police cleared the scene. The road has since reopened.
