Crash deaths ruled accidental

Four Yough High School students were killed in a March 21 crash.

By RENATTA SIGNORINI
TribLive

The deaths of four Yough High School students in a fiery March crash have been ruled accidental.

On Friday, updated details were released by the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office about the deaths of Rocco A. Zugai, 18; Brady D. Hunker, 15; Felicity M. Martini, 15; and Kylee Nicole Korber, 16.

The March 21 crash was reported about 3:30 a.m. on Derr Road in Sewickley Township. State police have said Zugai was behind the wheel of a Kia Forte, Hunker was in the passenger seat and Martini and Korber were in the backseat at the time of the crash.

The fire had basically extinguished itself by the time first responders were notified.

Trooper Steve Limani said he doesn’t believe anyone will get arrested in connection with the crash. Investigators followed up on all of the tips they received but didn’t get any solid information about where the group was coming from or going, he said. Police previously said the last communication with someone in the car was at 1:30 a.m., two hours before the crash was reported.

Investigators believe all of the teens had been drinking that night, and Zugai had alcohol in the car when his passengers got in, Limani said. It was unclear how he got the alcohol.

“He wasn’t at any of the bars. He wasn’t at any place where an adult was willingly giving him alcohol,” Limani said.

Troopers were waiting on investigative reports about how fast Zugai was traveling, but police preliminarily believe he was speeding around a bend in the road. All four teens died from injuries suffered in the crash, the coroner ruled.

A memorial was created at the site of the crash, and additional counselors were brought in to help at Yough High School in the days afterwards. Community fundraisers and a candlelight vigil were held.