Sad news: Crash and loss of young 914 driver. Options

[c12croft]

Reprinted from thedailyreview.com
Teen killed in Sullivan County crash
BY ERIC HRIN (Staff Writer)Published: May 29, 2011


Review File Photo Curtis H. Eberlin
The Sullivan County School District is mourning the tragic loss of a senior.

State police at Laporte said Curtis H. Eberlin, 18, of Nordmont Road, Muncy Valley, was killed in a fatal crash at 7:47 p.m. May 27 at 3500 Nordmont Rd., Davidson Township, Sullivan County.

He was an integral part of the high school soccer team for the last four years, Sullivan County High School Principal Craig Skaluba said.

According to police, Eberlin was driving a blue 1972 Porsche 914 and the crash occurred as he was traveling east on Nordmont Road. Police said Eberlin lost control of his vehicle on a curve, causing it to leave the north edge of the road and strike a tree on the driver's side, causing major damage to the vehicle, police said. Police said Eberlin sustained fatal injuries at the scene and was wearing a seatbelt.

Skaluba said the administration and grief counselors were at the school on Saturday to ease the students' grief. He said about seven students showed up.

More counseling will take place Tuesday and the students have a phone number to call for assistance in dealing with the loss, he added.

"We're trying to focus on the health, safety and welfare of all the kids and move forward," he said. "We're trying to go from mourning his loss to celebrating his life."

Eberlin was a senior getting ready to graduate on June 3. In addition, he was captain of the boys varsity soccer team, and was on his fourth year on the soccer team. Throughout his youth, he played with the

American Youth Soccer Organization. Also, he was a member of the High School History Club and participated this year in Yearbook and varsity baseball, Skaluba said.

Recently, Eberlin was recognized in an assembly for his teamwork in helping to successfully complete Volume 48 of The Highlander, the school's yearbook, Skaluba said. Eberlin was also honored recently at the spring sports banquet for earning a varsity letter as a starter on the boys varsity baseball team, he said.

"Basically, he was well liked and respected by the students and the staff," he said. "He always had a smile on his face and was a good kid and a joy to be around." He had a fun, good-spirited nature, Skaluba

said.

The school district is discussing options to honor Eberlin at graduation at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 3 at the high school.

Eric Hrin can be reached at (570) 297-5251; or e-mail: reviewtroy@thedailyreview.com.

[jsayre914]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Wow, that is a terrible story....

[speed metal army]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Very sad. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[Black22]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[ejm]

Very sad news. I remember Curtis as a young boy. His dad is a long time 914 owner and would bring the entire family to events in the Northeast.

[jzdu]

Sad

[rick 918-S]

The article doesn't say whether speed, road conditions or mechanical issues may have been the cause. They usually mention if they think speed was a contributing factor.

Sad for a young life and a family with hopes and dreams for a future.

['73-914kid]

Wow... I am in absolute shock. This hits absolutely too close to home. Similarly, I am a senior in highschool, and am graduating on June 8th. I must say, that also using my 914 as a daily driver, it kind of makes me question the safety of it all, which is not often something that ever really goes through my mind..

I would be interested to hear the cause. I personally have overcooked a turn on the street, and looking back on it later the same day, you think about how stupid it was to do that.. While I'm sure he was a responsible driver, I fear that it was driver error that allowed the car to lose control.

I cannot imagine the amount of sadness and pain that family and school must now endure because of his death. Now instead of his extended family coming to watch his graduation, they must come to see his funeral. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his school.

[jt914-6]

Sorry to hear about the loss of someone so young. It reminds me of a guy not far from where I live. He left a bar, and most likely had been drinking in his converted 914-6, lost control in a curve and hit a telephone pole pass. side and was killed instantly. Every time I go by where it happened I think about him though I didn't know him.

[stewteral]

To ALL:

This is why it is SO IMPORTANT to take our young drivers through a driving school.

I was lucky to survive my own driving ignorance at that age, but it was dumb luck that saved me from a couple incidents. After taking a couple racing schools and getting 0n-track experience, I realized how ignorant I had been.

We all know that young drivers, especially males, have a sense of immortality but it is vital that they be taught that they CAN PERISH. Since Humans life is experiential, I think a trip to the morgue to view a dead young driver might get their attention.

Then comes driving school to learn the limits of adhesion, the TRACTION CIRCLE and late apex lines to cornering when on the street.

In addition, I would recommend a contract with those eager and aggressive young drivers where they will get time on a REAL race track if they keep their cool on the street.

While my approach may seem extreme to some, we want our young ones to survive and learn skills to keep them alive on public roadways since it IS a life-and-death-survival situation every day.

Terry

[pilothyer]

This is indeed the saddest news I have heard in a very long time. I feel for you my brother, as I myself have a son who is approaching his early driving years. Know this, any car no matter which or what kind, can and will be a potential risk for young drivers. May The God Of All Creation bring you and yours peace in this time of great loss. May The Spirit Of God assure you that you will see your precious son again and there will be no more sorrow or tears. My prayers go up for you and your's at this time.

[76-914]

Wow... I am in absolute shock. This hits absolutely too close to home. Similarly, I am a senior in highschool, and am graduating on June 8th. I must say, that also using my 914 as a daily driver, it kind of makes me question the safety of it all, which is not often something that ever really goes through my mind..

I would be interested to hear the cause. I personally have overcooked a turn on the street, and looking back on it later the same day, you think about how stupid it was to do that.. While I'm sure he was a responsible driver, I fear that it was driver error that allowed the car to lose control.

I cannot imagine the amount of sadness and pain that family and school must now endure because of his death. Now instead of his extended family coming to watch his graduation, they must come to see his funeral. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his school.

I was thinking of you as I read this, Ethan. Be careful.

[stewteral]

Wow... I am in absolute shock. This hits absolutely too close to home. Similarly, I am a senior in highschool, and am graduating on June 8th. I must say, that also using my 914 as a daily driver, it kind of makes me question the safety of it all, which is not often something that ever really goes through my mind..

I would be interested to hear the cause. I personally have overcooked a turn on the street, and looking back on it later the same day, you think about how stupid it was to do that.. While I'm sure he was a responsible driver, I fear that it was driver error that allowed the car to lose control.

I cannot imagine the amount of sadness and pain that family and school must now endure because of his death. Now instead of his extended family coming to watch his graduation, they must come to see his funeral. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his school.

'73-914kid,

I'm impressed with your very mature appraisal of fast street driving. Like you, I also had those "moments-after" when I said "GEEZ, I got lucky" ....that was before I spent many years running on-track events.

As I have just posted, I think it is very important for you to attend a RACING Driving School! First, you'll love it! Second, you will that the opportunity to run your car on the limits in a controlled environment to learn where the limits are, the mistakes that get you in trouble and how to survive them. Third, hopefully, you can "get your fix" on-track and can drive slower and more safely on public streets.

I would suggest participating in some Time Trial events with such groups as SpeedTrialUSA.com or ExtremeSpeedTrackEvents.com that run SoCal tracks.
For SpeedTrialUSA, the driver's school is no extra charge and as good as any SCCA school. They run Willow Springs and Buttonwillow tracks and are low cost/low pressure ways to get on-track and learn.

I run Streets of Willow Springs with my 914V8 and would love to have you come out and play with me and a few other 914s. If I could be of any help in attending an event, please let me know.

Best,
Terry

['73-914kid]

I am a huge proponent of driving schools for new drivers. Driver's licesne testing and permit testing have nothing to do with driving scenarios, only if you can stop, turn, and go.

I can honestly say that the knowledge I learned in 3 autocrosses, have saved my butt at least once in a messy situation.

[PeeGreen 914]

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[Dirty Evo]

terribly sad. Just kind of flashed me back 20+ years to when my parents got me my 914 for high school graduation back in 89. My mom always had sports cars or muscle cars and my dad was into hot rods when he was young... so sporty car is just kind of something natural to me.. but I remember so well my mom sitting down with me and saying "please, please just be careful. I worry about you so much in a little sports car. I want you to enjoy it but I don't want anything bad to happen to you, please be careful"... it REALLY stuck with me. And then I also think about some really stupid driving moments I have had , where only luck (not skill) allowed me to see another day.. really makes me stop and think. feel so terrible for his family and friends... his parents. I just cant even imagine....

[carr914]

Very Sad, as it seemed he was a Good Kid with a Bright Future

R.I.P.

[rfuerst911sc]

Just terrible news I hope for the best for his family and friends.

[ArtechnikA]

nilrebe was a fixture on the 914 Rennlist for a long time. The last post I see was end of 2006 which I think I was about the time I bailed from the list due to persistent petty bickering.

There was a reference in that thread to Sullivan County, PA.

Sounds like the same family, in which case they're one of our own, even if they never signed up to either 914 World Club.

Does someone here have a personal contact? We need to do something...

[914 shifter]

very sad my condolences. i would like to add that a recent DE track day was a real eye opener for me.