FEBRUARY 23, 2015
ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PA
A teenager is dead after a coal truck accident along Route
28/66 in Armstrong County Monday.
The Armstrong County Coroners’ Office said Nicholas F.
Gavazzi, 18, was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy showed that he died
from blunt force trauma to the head, chest and abdomen.
According to police, Gavazzi was driving north on State
Route 28/66 when his Honda Civic crossed the center line and hit a 2003
Peterbilt Tri-Axle, driven by William Gathers Jr., of Sligo.
The coroner said Gavazzi was not wearing his seatbelt at the
time of the crash.
The crash shut down the roadway in both directions in
Rayburn Township between Anderson Creek Road and Upper Hayes Road for several
hours.
An investigation into the crash is ongoing.
Gavazzi graduated from Charleroi High School in 2014 and was
currently a freshman at Clarion University. He was also a member of the Clarion
University Wrestling Team.
"Nick was the kind of kid you wanted your son to
become," said Wrestling Head Coach Keith Ferraro in a written statement.
"He was not only a great wrestler, but a great leader in the classroom. He
was a joy to be around and well-liked by his teammates. We are all better off
for having spent time with him. The Clarion wrestling family offers its
condolences to Nick's family and friends."
Clarion University officials said grief counselors have been
made available on campus.