A tragic car accident in Florida claimed the lives of three Massachusetts high school seniors, including a two-time state diving champion, and left a fourth student critically injured. The four 18-year-old students from Concord-Carlisle High School were on a spring break vacation when the accident occurred.
The students were traveling on Highway 98 near Panama City, Florida, when their SUV collided with a tractor-trailer performing a U-turn around 9:28 p.m. on Monday. The impact of the collision caused the SUV to cross the median and come to a halt in a wooded area on the opposite side of the highway, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Jimmy McIntosh and Hannah Wasserman were pronounced dead at the scene. The two other students were rushed to Bay Medical Center in critical condition. One of them, Maisey O’Donnell, later succumbed to her injuries. The fourth student, whose identity has not been disclosed, remains in critical condition.
McIntosh, who was driving the SUV at the time of the crash, was wearing his seatbelt. The investigation is ongoing to determine if Wasserman, O’Donnell, and the unidentified student were also wearing seatbelts at the time of the collision.
O’Donnell was a two-time Massachusetts state diving champion and had plans to attend Williams College the following year. Her coach described her as one of the top divers in the U.S. and a role model for younger athletes.
The 19-year-old driver of the tractor-trailer and a passenger were unharmed in the incident. The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate the fatal collision.
Laurie Hunter, Superintendent of the Concord-Carlisle Regional School District, confirmed the deaths of McIntosh, Wasserman, and O’Donnell. She expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support during this heartbreaking time and urged respect for the families’ wishes in honoring the students.
Concord-Carlisle High School, located about 25 miles outside Boston, is mourning the loss of these students. O’Donnell, in particular, was remembered for her achievements in diving, having won MVP, 1st Team All-State, 1st Team All-Area, 1st Team All-Region, 1st Team All-County, and 1st Team All-Conference while on the school team in 2023.