Dec 11, 2019 2 min read

Carroll Township police are treating a crash involving a dirt bike as an accident that killed a Ringgold High School junior Wednesday afternoon.

Tyler Garrity, 17, of Monongahela, died at Mon Valley Hospital after he crashed the bike into a utility pole and tree about 4:25 p.m. on Carroll Lane, police said.

Garrity was with a group of friends when he lost control of the unregistered bike while traveling too fast on a public street where such vehicles are prohibited, police said.

“It’s a common situation in rural townships,” Carroll police Chief Paul Brand said.

Garrity, who lived on Decker Street, was pronounced dead at 5:53 p.m. Wednesday in the hospital in Carroll, Washington County Coroner Tim Warco said. The cause and manner of death were pending further investigation, the coroner’s office said.

The teen was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, Warco said.

Ringgold will have crisis counselors available for students and staff through next week for those who feel the need to talk about Garrity, Ringgold Superintendent Megan Van Fossan said.

“We are saddened to learn about the untimely passing of Tyler Garrity, an 11th-grade RHS student, yesterday,” Van Fossan said. “We extend our condolences to the family.”

Meanwhile, a crowdsourcing site has been set up to raise money for his family. It can be reached at gofundme.com/f/1u7j5gx9dc.