Orchard Park teen hockey player killed in one-car crash

Orchard Park police say high speed is believed to be the cause of a one-car crash that took the life of 19-year-old Jack Corbett of Orchard Park.

Police say Corbett left his home in a 2009 Chevy Malibu but lost control while heading south on Baker Road after passing over a crest in the road.  The vehicle crossed a yard, hit a tree and burst into flames.  The teenager was pronounced dead at the scene.  The accident occurred just after 2 a.m. on Tuesday August 7, 2018.

Jack Corbett was a 2017 graduate from Orchard Park High School who played hockey for the school.  Corbett is also listed on a roster for the American Collegiate Hockey Association where it says he played 6 games for a club hockey team in Fredonia during 2017-18.

Friends tells 7 Eyewitness News Reporter Ed Reilly that Jack Corbett was a good friend who was open about his own personal struggles as a way to encourage others.  Several fellow-classmates and friends visited the crash site to place flowers and notes.

Orchard Park Police are now working in conjunction with Crisis Services to help the family deal with the traumatic loss.

The fatal accident occurs during what is known as the "100 Deadliest Days of Summer."  It is a period from Memorial Day to Labor Day where accidents with teen drivers reach a highpoint.   The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports seeing an increase in the number of people killed by teen drivers during the 100 Deadliest Days.  That number was 1,050 in 2016, or an average of 10 people per day and up 14% from the year before.

"Literally, speed kills," explained Lt. Joe Ray from Orchard Park Police.  "The faster you go, you take away your options," said Lt. Ray, who is again reminding young drivers about the dangers of speeding.

Lt. Ray is also warning teen drivers to "keep their eyes up" and not be looking at their cell phones while driving a car.

7 Eyewitness News has learned that Corbett's fellow hockey players are hoping to do something special to remember their teammate.  However, details have not been released yet.

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