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.

['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.

[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