High school principal dies in Winslow traffic accident

WINSLOW - A high school principal driving his son to a soccer game was fatally injured in a traffic accident here.

Sean Hughes, who led Lower Merion High School in suburban Philadelphia for more than 14 years, died at a hospital after a crash around 7:30 a.m. Saturday.

His 13-year-old son, Nolan Hughes, and another driver, 54-year-old Azuka Ossai of Pine Hill, received hospital care, said Winslow police.

A preliminary investigation showed Hughes was driving northbound on Fleming Pike and Ossai was eastbound on Hay Road when their vehicles collided at an intersection.

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"Everyone is shocked and heartbroken," Lower Merion Schools Superintendent Khalid Mumin said of the loss of Hughes, a married father of three children.

"It is hard for anyone to imagine Lower Merion High School without Mr. Hughes at the helm," Mumin said in a statement.

Hughes, 51, of Harleysville, also was president of the Central Athletic League, an association of a dozen high schools outside Philadelphia.

"Mr. Hughes was beloved by thousands of students who passed through the halls of Lower Merion over the years,” said Mumin. “They greeted him in the halls by calling out his signature nickname, 'Huuuuuuughes.'"

He said the Montgomery County district will close its 10 schools on Monday, allowing its clinical staff to help students and staff at the 1,400-pupil high school.

The accident remains under investigation.

Jim Walsh covers public safety, economic development and other beats for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal.

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This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Lower Merion High School principal dies while taking son to soccer game