Driver, 18, killed in crash near South Vienna was Northeastern student

UPDATE @ 12:36 p.m. (Dec. 22)

An 18-year-old killed in a one vehicle accident last night was a student at Northeastern High School and the Springfield-Clark Career Technology center.

Luke W. Cordell, of South Vienna, was pronounced dead at the scene on Tarbutton Road where authorities believe he lost control of his F-150.

Northeastern Superintendent John Kronour said Northeastern High School will be open from noon until 3 p.m. and grief counselors will be available.

“It’s difficult whenever a student passes away but it is even double when it is something sudden and tragic like a car accident,” Kronour said. “We are going to do our best to support our kids and our prayers and thoughts go out to the family.”

Kronour said Cordell’s mother also works in the district.

UPDATE @ 12:40 a.m. (Dec. 22)

An 18-year-old from South Vienna was pronounced dead at the scene of a crash Wednesday night after he lost control of his white Ford F-150 on Tarbutton Road, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Springfield Post.

Luke W. Cordell was headed west around 8:40 p.m. when he drove off the right side of the roadway, then came back onto the roadway, where he lost control and went back off the right side of the road and struck a tree, troopers said.

Even though Cordell was wearing his seat belt, he did not survive the crash, which remains under investigation.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Pleasant Twp. Fire and EMS and Harmony Twp. Fire and EMS assisted at the scene, according to the highway patrol.

FIRST REPORT (Dec. 21)

An 18-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene of a crash tonight near South Vienna.

The driver was identified as Luke Cordell of South Vienna, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Springfield Post.

Cordell was the only occupant of the car that crashed into a tree around 8:40 p.m. on Tarbutton Road. Troopers did not release any possible factors in the crash and said it remains under investigation.