SYCAMORE — A single-vehicle crash Thursday afternoon resulted in the death of an Upper Sandusky High School student.
According to report by the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office, 16-year-old Gabrielle Swartz, of Upper Sandusky, was a front-seat passenger in a vehicle that was traveling northbound on Ohio 231 east of Sycamore when the crash occurred.
According to the report:
Investigation of the crash showed the vehicle was traveling northbound on S.H. 231 when it went off the right side of the roadway, the driver overcorrected and then went off the left side of the roadway, where it struck several fixed objects. The vehicle went airborne before striking a tree and landing off the roadway where it came to rest next to a corn field.
Swartz was pronounced dead at the scene.
Upper Sandusky High School Principal Tasha Stanton confirmed Swartz entered USHS as a member of the Class of 2021.
“The USHS family has suffered a loss and we will continue to support our students and staff through this time,” Stanton said.
Stanton said the school’s Traumatic Event Crisis Intervention Procedure was activated and staff came in early Friday morning to prepare, and a staff meeting occurred before school hours. The students were told of Swartz’s death during first period in small groups.
“Our deepest condolences go out to Gabi’s family,” Stanton said. “It is in traumatic times like this it’s good to know you can rely on your community to help get through them.”
A moment of silence will take place before kickoff of Upper Sandusky’s home football game vs River Valley on Friday. The USHS student section also plans on wearing red to the game, one of Gabi’s favorite colors, according to individuals close to the situation.
Tonight’s theme will be changed to a Red out, to honor the loss of Gabi Swartz
— USHS STUDENT SECTION (@USHSLitSection) August 30, 2019
A moment of silence also will take place before the Upper Sandusky girls soccer home match vs Sandusky on Saturday at 10 a.m.
The driver of the vehicle, 17-year-old Hannah Balduf was taken to Wyandot Memorial Hospital and transported by medical helicopter to Columbus, according to the report. A third occupant of the vehicle, who was in the backseat, was transported to Wyandot Memorial Hospital and released.
The report said initial findings were the unidentified backseat passenger was wearing a seatbelt.
Wyandot County EMS and Sycamore Fire and Rescue also responded to the scene.