Tuscarawas County student killed in single-vehicle crash; student identified

An 18-year-old student died in a single-vehicle crash on Thursday evening, according to the New Philadelphia Police Department.

The accident occurred around 5:30 p.m. when police received a report of a crash involving injuries. Upon arrival, officers discovered that a 2009 Chevy sedan had driven into the UPS center located in the 200 block of 8th Street SW.

The vehicle was being operated by Austin Waldren, a student at Indian Valley High School and the Buckeye Career Center. According to police, Waldren was traveling southbound on 7th Street SW when he failed to make a sharp turn onto Bank Lane. Instead, the vehicle continued straight into the UPS parking lot and collided with the building.

Waldren was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Authorities are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. Captain David Morris of the New Philadelphia Police Department stated that it is unclear why Waldren was unable to negotiate the turn. He noted that phone usage have been ruled out, but it remains uncertain whether a medical issue or another type of impairement may have contributed to the accident.

“We’re still looking into what might have caused him to drive straight instead of turning,” Morris said. “At this point, we don’t know where he was coming from or where he was heading.”

The investigation is ongoing as officials work to determine the exact cause of the crash. An autopsy will be conducted.