UPDATE: Clarion University Releases Name of Student Killed in Route 28/66 Crash

| February 23, 2015

headshot_2_gavazziRAYBURN TWP., Pa. (EYT) – A Clarion University student has been identified as the victim in a fatal accident on Route 28/66 Monday morning in Rayburn Township, Armstrong County.

Nicholas Gavazzi, 18, a member of the Clarion University Wrestling Team, was tragically killed in the accident.

Sources say the crash occurred shortly after 8 a.m. when a coal truck landed on its side on top of Gavazzi’s car.

Mr. Gavazzi was a freshman biochemistry major/nanotechnology minor and a member of the wrestling team. He was on the Dean’s List his first semester, fall 2014.

“We have lost an important member of our community with the death of student, Nicholas Gavazzi,” said Clarion President Karen M. Whitney, Ph.D. “Our hearts go out to the Gavazzi family and friends during this most difficult time.”

“Nick was the kind of kid you wanted your son to become,” said Wrestling Head Coach Keith Ferraro. “He was not only a great wrestler, but a great leader in the classroom. He was a joy to be around and well-liked by his teammates. We are all better off for having spent time with him. The Clarion wrestling family offers its condolences to Nick’s family and friends.”

The Clarion University athletic department and wrestling staff met with the wrestling team at 3:30 p.m. today. Grief counselors were and are available.

Nick Gavazzi was a true freshman on the wrestling team at Clarion University. An injury his senior year at Charleroi High made the medical red-shirt season necessary. He was projected to have wrestled at 149-pounds next season. The Class Valedictorian at Charleroi High, Nick wrestled at 145-pounds his senior year, and 138-pounds as a junior and sophomore. Nick placed 5th at PIAA’s in 2013 with a record of 38-4 and was a WPIAL Champion. He posted a 36-5 mark in 2012.

Funeral Arrangements are incomplete at this time, but will be updated when the information becomes available.

Route 28/66 was closed in both directions for more than four hours.

Rayburn Township Volunteer Fire Department; East Franklin Township Fire Department; Kittanning Hose Company #6; and Kittanning Township Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to the scene.

Pennsylvania State Police and PennDOT also responded to the accident.

No further details are available at this time.


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