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16-year-old Caleb Young was reportedly driving his 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix northbound on Medway-New Carlisle when he went left of center and struck the side of a southbound Ford F-350 "farm truck." Jim Copes | PHOTO

A Tecumseh High School student has "succumbed to his injuries" this afternoon following a two-vehicle accident that occurred on Saturday, April 2. Today was his 17th birthday.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the families involved in the crash, and with the Springfield-Clark CTC, friends and family of Caleb Young as we all cope with the loss of one of our Arrows." said Norm Glismann, superintendent of Tecumseh Schools. "As always, the emotional and physical well-being of our students is our highest priority. To support our students, administrators in the high school and middle school have arranged for personnel to meet with any student who wants to talk in the coming days."

Tecumseh High School Principal Ivan Gehret and Middle School Principal Brian Dixon sent out "all-calls" to parents of students in their respective buildings. The "all call"  reads as follows:

"Good evening Tecumseh parents and students,

It is with great sorrow that I am informing all of the Tecumseh High School students of the loss that we suffered as a result of a traffic accident on Saturday.  We have been notified through Caleb Young’s family that he has passed away this afternoon.

Caleb was well liked by his many friends and classmates both at Tecumseh and the Springfield-Clark CTC.  Please keep Caleb and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

It is difficult for all of us to face the death of young person taken from us so early.  Tomorrow, April 6th, the school district will have a support team with psychologists and counselors available to help students and staff dealing with grief.  Students who need support can come to the guidance department.  Tecumseh High School is planning a gathering of friends and information will be given to the students at school tomorrow.

I know you will join me in extending a heartfelt sympathy to the Young family.  When we receive word regarding funeral arrangements, I will share the information with you.  Again, please feel free to contact the school if you have any concern you would like to discuss with us. "

Caleb had been listed "in critical condition with very serious head and neck injuries" since the accident.

Lieutenant Brian K. Aller, Springfield Post Commander of the Ohio State Patrol, said troopers are still investigating the crash, which happened around 10:30 p.m. in the 1200 block of Medway-New Carlisle Road.

Aller said that 16-year-old Caleb Young was reportedly driving his 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix northbound on Medway-New Carlisle when he went left of center and struck the side of a southbound Ford F-350 "farm truck."

Young was transported to the hospital via Care Flight. The female occupant of the truck, Krystal Sowers, was transported to Springfield Regional Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and the other occupant, Davis Sowers, did not report any injuries at the scene.

"Initial indications show the Pontiac was well left of center before impact with the Ford truck," Aller's report states. "Seatbelts were in use by all parties involved in this crash. It is unknown if impairment was a factor, but will be investigated."

Assistance was provided by the Clark County Sheriff's Office and the Bethel Township Fire Department of Clark County. The New Carlisle Fire Department transported Sowers to the hospital.

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