LYNDON, VT : 21-year-old dead after crashing into telephone on Monday, 19th September 2016

A Lyndon State College student is dead after crashing into a telephone pole in Lyndonville.Alex Paduch, 21, of Middleborough, Massachusetts, was driving in the rain on McGoff Hill Road near Lyndon State College when his vehicle went off the road.

His two friends and fellow students, Haley Lyndes and Abbey Greene, said they saw him just hours before he passed.

"He was actually over our apartment last night around midnight," said Greene.

"You don't expect to wake up to something like that, especially saying goodbye to him the night before," said Lyndes.

The crash happened just before 2 a.m. Monday.

Paduch was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee, which was heavily damaged.

First responders pronounced Paduch dead at the scene.

Vermont State Police were on the scene. Members from Lyndonville Fire Department, Lyndon Rescue and CALEX Ambulance Services also responded.

Officials said the preliminary investigation showed that speed contributed to the crash.

Police said Paduch was wearing a seat belt, and was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

Paduch was a senior studying electronic journalism.

Greene called him, "a leader," in the classroom that others looked up to.

"It's going to be hard to continue our senior year and graduate without him in may," Greene said.

She added he had dreams of working in Boston, and had a passion for political reporting.

The college issued a statement to the community:

“The Lyndon State College family is greatly saddened about the death of our student Alex Paduch. (He) was an award-winning student journalist and beloved by the Lyndon community," a school spokeswoman said. "This is a heartbreaking loss for Alex’s family and loved ones and for his LSC family. He was an outstanding young man, a talented journalist and a good friend. Our condolences go out to all who have been touched by his life and passing."

The school said counseling services were available to students who knew Paduch.

He recently completed a summer internship with NBC5's sister station, WCVB in Boston.

The crash remains under investigation.

Source :
21-year-old dead after crashing into telephone