Easton high school mourns loss of 17-year-old student in triple fatal crash

EASTON, Mass. — A school in Easton is mourning the tragic loss of a 17-year-old student, his father and a young woman who was reportedly his girlfriend.

The three died after a head-on car crash Friday evening.

Robert Fleming, 17, was announced as one of the victims Friday morning, to which Easton schools officials sent a message to the Oliver Ames High School community announcing his death.

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Police say William Fleming, 58, Robert's father, crossed the center line and hit another vehicle around 6 p.m. William Fleming and Kayleigh Desrosiers, 17, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Robert Fleming was flown to a Boston hospital and died of his injuries.

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The driver of the other vehicle was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. She was alone in the vehicle.

The crash is under investigation. Police say the three who died were not wearing seat belts.

Oliver Ames principal Wes Paul sent the following message:

Dear OA Students, Families, and Teachers,
It is with a heavy heart that I share with you the sad news that one of our classmates, Robert Fleming, was killed in a car accident last night.  I have spoken with Robert’s mother expressing our collective condolences for her losses and offered our assistance.  Robert’s father, along with Robert’s girlfriend from Halifax, were also killed in this tragic car accident. Robert is survived by his mother Deena, and siblings Joseph Gizzi OA Class of 2011, Kimberly Newman OA Class of 2012, and Amy Maliff OA Class of 2013. 
In this time of grief, I have opened the High School guidance office to provide a place for students to gather today and  be supported by members of our crisis team (OA guidance counselors, school psychologist, adjustment counselor, school nurse, and administration) from now until 3:00 p.m. or later if needed.  Students can enter by way of the Guidance Entrance near the student parking lot. 
There are some helpful links listed below that can  be used to help in our conversations about grief and loss.

• https://clinicalcenter.nih.gov/ccc/patient_education/pepubs/childdeath.pdf
• http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/feeling_sad/someone_died.html
• http://www.webmd.com/balance/helping-teens-who-are-grieving
• http://www.hospicenet.org/html/teenager.html

Peace,
Wes Paul

Cox Media Group