WASHINGTON – Police are investigating a fatal single-vehicle collision in which a local high school senior was killed.
According to Howard County police, driver Garrett Raymond Bonin, 18, of Elkridge, was pronounced dead at the scene of an accident that occurred on the 12600 block of Old Frederick Road in Sykesville at approximately 1:30 a.m.
The 2003 Subaru Outback he was driving was traveling eastbound when it left the roadway and overturned, according to a police release Saturday.
A preliminary investigation has revealed that speed was a factor and that the driver was not wearing a seatbelt, said police.
Old Frederick Road was closed for approximately four hours while the Traffic Enforcement Section investigated.
Howard High School, where Bonin was a senior, reached out to parents and the school community soon after the news broke:
“Our entire school community is deeply impacted by this loss. Please spend some time with your children over the next few days to support them and monitor their feelings and reactions to this sad news,” said principal Gina Massella, who said the school was already marshaling a crisis intervention team to support students and teachers when they return Monday.
She also noted that a candle light vigil was being planned via social media by students for 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the school parking lot.
“If your child is planning on attending, we strongly encourage you to consider attending with them. We know this type of event can create very strong emotions and we want to ensure that any child who attends can get home safely,” she added.
Candlelight vigil tonight at 8:30 at the senior lot at Howard. All are welcome to come.
— Shane Kieta (@Kieta_YourHeart) May 2, 2015
This morning Howard lost a brother. We will stay strong together. Prayers out to him and the family. RIP Garrett Bonin, you will be missed.
— Howard High Baseball (@Howard_Baseball) May 2, 2015
