State police are trying to track where four Yough High School students were in the hours before they were killed in a fiery crash in Sewickley Township, said Trooper Steve Limani.
The last communication with someone in the car was at 1:30 a.m. Saturday, two hours before the crash was reported on Derr Road, just outside Yukon. But Limani said investigators believe the four teens may have been in touch with friends, who could provide information to help troopers narrow down the timeline.
“They were obviously headed somewhere and they came from some place, and we don’t know the answers to those two questions,” he said.
Rocco A. Zugai, 18, was behind the wheel of the Kia Forte when it crashed into a tree on the rural road. Brady D. Hunker, 15, was in the passenger seat and Felicity M. Martini, 15, and Kylee Nicole Korber, 16, were in the back.
Hunker was found outside the car and Limani said police were trying to determine if he was thrown from it or managed to get out. The preliminary investigation showed that speed likely was a factor in the crash, he said. Autopsies and toxicology tests were pending.
While the crash and subsequent fire were reported at 3:31 a.m. by a passing motorist, investigators believe it likely happened long before that time. The fire had basically extinguished itself by the time firefighters were called, which left evidence, such as cellphones, destroyed.
“That crash took place, definitely, significantly before 3:31,” Limani said.
DNA was used to identify the four students.
Their classmates returned to school Monday.
Yough Superintendent Anthony DeMaro said he wanted students to have a semblance of normalcy in an emotionally challenging time.
“We felt it’s best to have our kids here today,” he said. “This happened Friday night. Being at home Saturday, being at home Sunday, we need to get our kids in here.”
Yough’s six counselors were assisted by mental health professionals from a dozen school districts — including Mt. Pleasant Area, Greensburg Salem, Norwin, Penn-Trafford, Monessen, Ligonier Valley and the Diocese of Greensburg — to help handle a potential influx of students in need.
“There hasn’t been a district that hasn’t reached out,” DeMaro said.
In a statement Monday afternoon, he indicated those counselors will continue to be available in the coming days.
Hoyt, a German pointer who serves as a therapy dog for the Mt. Pleasant Borough Police Department, will be available to students all week. Local churches have offered support and supplied students with extra snacks. Community members are organizing vigils for the four students, according to DeMaro. Online fundraisers have brought in tens of thousands of dollars for the students’ families.
Family, friends and community members gathered at an impromptu creek side memorial at the crash site Sunday, leaving bouquets of flowers, photographs, candles and other items.
Limani said police are trying to gather details on the students’ whereabouts to provide answers to their families. Anyone who was in touch with them or knows their movements can contact Trooper Jason Kinger at 717-585-5532.
“If you’re a student that has some answers to the questions that we’re looking for, maybe talk to your parents, a guidance counselor, somebody at the school,” he said. “That’s really what we’re looking for to try and piece together the puzzle of what happened to these two young boys and these two young girls.”