The Owen J. Roberts, Spring-Ford and surrounding communities are rallying their support around four recent high-school graduates, including two notable names in the wrestling community, who were seriously injured in a one-vehicle accident Monday.
The injured were Louie Carbajal (Spring-Ford) and Connor Quinn, Ben Bulich and Dan Benasutti (Owen J. Roberts). All are currently being treated at Reading Hospital.
The accident occurred around 5:40 a.m. at the 1200 block of South Hanover Street in North Coventry Township.
“Today was hard for a lot of people,” Antonio Petrucelli, another OJR Class of 2020 graduate, said in a Facebook post on Aug. 11, “but especially the ones involved and their families, and we have to realize that. I know how hard it is to stay positive, but that’s what they need now.
“Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Have faith and send love to the ones who need it.”
According to the police report, the North Coventry Police responded to the accident location on the report of a serious vehicle crash with entrapment. Upon arrival, the police found the vehicle, a 2012 Acura ZDX, in two parts and two injured passengers out of the vehicle. The Norco Fire Company extricated the driver from the vehicle.
The three occupants at the scene were transported to the Reading Hospital for treatment. Police were later notified of a fourth occupant of the vehicle who had been taken privately to the Pottstown Hospital. This occupant was later transported to the Reading Hospital for treatment for his injuries.
Carbajal was considered to be in the most serious condition as is in critical care at Reading Hospital.
GoFundMe sites were established to assist the injured men’s families. Rylie Hannis, Pottstown, established one to benefit all four while Shane Standhardt, of Royersford, and Brian Brown, of Royersford, set up others to benefit Carbajal’s family. At the time of publish, more than $35,000 had been donated to the fundraisers.
“This morning our dear friend Louie was a passenger in a very bad car accident,” Brown wrote on his site. “Louie is, and will always be, the most amazing human being on this planet. He constantly supports his friends/family in anything they do, so this is an opportunity to show our gratitude towards Louie and his family.”
Owen J. Roberts’ Connor Quinn rides out Lower Merion’s James Lledo during a 7-3 decision in the 160-pound regional final. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Carbajal and Quinn are well-known for their successes with the wrestling programs at their respective schools.
Quinn primarily wrestled in the 160-pound weight class this season, posting a 34-5 record. He was a 160-pound champion in District 1-AAA North and South East AAA Regional tournaments, and placed fifth in the PIAA Class AAA Tournament. Quinn was selected as The Mercury 2020 All-Area Wrestler of the Year. He had signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Appalachian University in Boone, N.C., to study biology.
Carbajal wrestled in the 195 and 220-pound weight classes for this past winter, compiling a 30-15 record. He was 195-pound runner-up in the District 1-AAA North and South East AAA Regional tournaments.
Carbajal capped his scholastic career with a first-time appearance in the PIAA Class AAA Tournament. He planned to attend Kutztown University to compete in wrestling and major in special education; he also indicated a desire to train for service in the Marine Corps Reserve.
