- The Lehigh County Coroner's Office identified a teen who died in a car crash Tuesday
- Edwin Cortes, 16, died from injuries sustained in the crash, the coroner said
- The crash occurred near the athletic fields on Cedar Crest Boulevard
EMMAUS, Pa. — A community is mourning and remembering a teenager killed in a car crash Tuesday afternoon that also injured several current and former students of Emmaus High School, according to Emmaus police.
Edwin Cortes, 16, of Allentown, died from injuries he sustained in the crash on Cedar Crest Boulevard at North Street, according to Lehigh County Coroner Dan Buglio.
Cortes was a back seat passenger in one of the vehicles, according to Buglio. An autopsy was completed Wednesday.
There were three other occupants in the car with Cortes, police said. The other vehicle involved in the crash had a single occupant.
The crash occurred about 2:55 p.m. Tuesday near the Emmaus High School athletic fields. It remains an active and ongoing investigation involving multiple agencies, Buglio said in a release.
On Tuesday night, East Penn school officials emailed families offering support and said district counselors and psychologists would be available Wednesday to assist students and faculty.
In a separate statement Wednesday morning, the district confirmed Cortes was a junior at the high school and offered its condolences to his family and friends.
"The death of a student is always a sad and troubling event that can often have a profound effect on friends, classmates, and staff," the statement said. "We are here to support all of our East Penn families during this time of grief. If you are aware of anyone in need of help, please contact your school counselor or building administrator."
Loved ones also started a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses. It quickly topped $26,000, far exceeding the $10,000 goal.
Words of support on the fundraiser spoke of Cortes’ kindness and a smile that would light up the room.
On Facebook, neighbors also expressed condolences and several said they planned to start a meal train to deliver home-cooked meals to the family in the coming days.
Investigation continues
The investigation into the crash continued Wednesday afternoon, with emergency vehicles and police investigators present at the intersection where the crash occurred.
Portions of both roads remain closed and a memorial was set up to honor Cortes, with a large bouquet of balloons placed in front of a sign damaged in the accident.
In addition to the coroner's office, the Emmaus Police Department, the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office and the Lehigh County Accident Reconstruction Team are investigating.
