A 13-year-old Marblehead eighth-grader died in a vehicle crash early Tuesday morning on Atlantic Avenue, the Essex County District Attorney’s Office announced in a press release Tuesday afternoon.
Upon arriving to investigate the report of crash in the area of 352 Atlantic Ave. at 2:51 a.m., Marblehead police and firefighters found a vehicle with extensive damage and a 13-year-old girl with life threatening injuries. She was pronounced deceased on scene.
A second individual, a 16-year-old juvenile male believed to be the driver, was treated for his injuries and transported by ambulance to a local hospital. The juvenile male has since been arrested and charged with operating under the influence, according to the DA.
The Marblehead Public Schools plan to offer grief counseling at both the Veterans Middle School and Marblehead High School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Superintendent John Robidoux announced in a letter to the school community Tuesday afternoon.
Grief counseling and support services for anyone in need will continue as students head back to class next week, Robidoux added.
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our eighth grade student who tragically passed away Tuesday following a one-car crash,” Robidoux wrote. “This is a truly devastating way for our community to begin the school year.”
He added, “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families involved in this tragedy and request that their privacy be respected during this incredibly difficult time.”
The crash remains under investigation by the Marblehead Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and State Police Crime Scene Services.
“Given that both parties involved are juveniles, no additional information will be available at this time,” the DA’s statement explained.
In Massachusetts, drivers can obtain a learner’s permit at age 16 and a junior operator’s license at 16 1/2. For the first six months, the holder of a junior operator’s license is not allowed to have passengers under 18 years old, except for siblings, and is also not allowed to drive between the hours of 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m., unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The DA encouraged anyone with information related to this incident to contact Marblehead Police Department Detective Sgt. Sean Brady at 781-631-1212.
Below is the map of road closures released by MPD.
