Hinesburg, Vermont - Hinesburg Police have released the name of the Champlain Valley Union High School student that was killed Friday morning in a car accident.
The victim was 16 year old martial artist Zeke Kassel.
An article in Shelburne News from last year profiled Kassel. His martial arts instructor Darrel Duffy called him, "one of the most caring and hard working teens he's ever worked with."
Patrol Officer Brian Fox says Kassel was on his way to school Friday. He was riding in the back seat of a friend's car when the vehicle lost control and went careening down an embankment on Shelburne Falls Rd., east of Boutin Rd.
The initial report indicated there were three occupants, one of which was unconscious.
Upon arrival by emergency responders, Zeke Kassel, 16 years of age from Shelburne was not breathing.
He was extricated from the vehicle and CPR was immediately initiated and continued until arrival at Fletcher Allen Hospital where he was subsequently pronounced dead.
The driver, Jean-Julien Vandal, 17 years of age and his 15 year old sister, both from Shelburne were transported to Fletcher Allen as a precaution and did not suffer any known injuries.
"We don't know whether Kassel was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash," says Fox. "It is still being investigated."
Fox says the two passengers in the front seat were wearing a seat belt.
He says alcohol, drugs and speed do not play a factor in the accident. He adds a combination of inexperienced winter driving and slick roads most likely caused the crash.
