Otsego student killed in weekend crash had just left homecoming dance
Sep. 27—HASKINS, Ohio — A teen killed in a motor vehicle crash on Saturday after leaving a homecoming dance has been identified as Otsego Schools student Ashton Copeland.
The youth, 15, was a sophomore.
"We are deeply going to miss Ashton Copeland. He was a bright light that lit up the room with his sense of humor and kind loving heart," his cousin, Rochelle Brueshaber, wrote on a GoFundMe page raising money to help his family with funeral expenses. As of Monday, it had already received more than $19,000 in donations.
"Ashton was surely one of a kind," Ms. Brueshaber wrote. "He has two younger brothers that are deeply heartbroken so please keep their family in your prayers."
Two other students were "seriously hurt" in the single vehicle crash, which occurred shortly after 11 p.m. in the 15000 block of King Road in Middleton Township on Saturday. In a letter to parents, Otsego Superintendent Adam Koch identified the 16-year-old teens as sophomores Keith Boone, Jr., who was flown by emergency helicopter to Mercy Health St. Vincent Hospital, and Jaydin Pinkney, who was taken to ProMedica Toledo Hospital.
"Both Keith and Jaydin have injuries from the accident but are stable and recovering," Mr. Koch said in his release.
Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn said the teens had just left the school's homecoming dance. It is believed the Boone youth, who was driving, may have been going too fast crossing the railroad tracks and lost control, he said.
The crash remains under investigation.
Ms. Brueshaber said the teens were on their way to a bonfire after party. Several other Otsego students taking the same route to the party came upon the crash.
Otsego schools implemented its Emergency Response Plan Monday "in an effort to provide an appropriate response to the situation." There will be district personnel and counselors from the Children's Resource Center available to speak with students and the school has pledged to "maintain as normal a routine and structure" as possible. Parents should contact the school if they feel their child needs additional support.
"We all should expect and try to understand that there will be a variety of emotions and responses to what has occurred," Mr. Koch said. "The most important thing we can do is to be supportive and encourage an open expression of feelings."
First Published September 27, 2021, 10:02am
