A funeral was held for a teenager who was killed in a crash in Chester County, Pennsylvania, involving two vehicles and a deer.
An investigation revealed a car hit a deer that had walked onto the roadway of Route 322 near Romig Road in West Bradford Township around 7:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2, officials said. That car continued to drive and left the scene.
The crash threw the deer onto the other side of the road, where a second car hit the animal, according to officials.
When the deer hit the second car, it landed on the windshield, officials said.
A teen, Kevin Donahue, a student at Malvern Preparatory School, was in the front seat of the second car during the incident and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died, officials shared.
Loved ones and friends attended a funeral for Donahue on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, at Saint Elizabeth Drive in Chester Springs.
School officials released the following statement:
“It is with deep sorrow and profound sadness that we share the tragic news of the passing of Kevin Donahue, a beloved student of Malvern Preparatory School, who was tragically killed in a fatal car accident. Kevin’s untimely departure has left a void in our community, and our hearts go out to his family, friends, and all who knew him during this difficult time. Kevin was known for his bright spirit, kindness, and positive attitude. As a student at Malvern Prep, he was admired not only for his academic dedication but also for his genuine compassion and friendly nature. Kevin’s presence was a source of joy and encouragement to peers, teachers, and staff alike. His infectious smile and warm personality made him a beloved member of the school community, and his loss is deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him.”
Dianne Oaks, a neighbor, said she was upset but not surprised to hear about the accident.
Well, my kids work over in that area, so I was like, ‘I hope none of them are on the road,’” Oaks said. “That goes through my mind. But when I heard it was a young juvenile, it’s just crushing.”
Oaks said deer are a common issue on the roads in the area.
“It’s terrible in the morning. I have a really hard time getting out of my driveway between 7:30 and 9, so much volume. There are a lot of deer,” Oaks said.
According to PennDOT’s most recent statistics in 2024, there were 814 deer-related crashes in the Philadelphia region, and only one was fatal.
Investigators have not been able to find the first car involved in this crash, but say they believe it to be a black-colored Toyota Sienna that would have extensive damage to the front-end.
If you have any information on this crash, please contact the Pennsylvania State Police Embreeville at 610-486-6280.
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