MIDDLETOWN, OH : Middletown Butler County Coroner's Office seen at late night crash in Middletown Michael Coker on Saturday, 23rd March 2024

A 14-year-old boy was killed in a Saturday night crash in Middletown that sent five other people to hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to possibly life-threatening, according to Middletown officials.

The Butler County Coroner's Office said 14-year-old Laith Masri died early Sunday morning from "multiple traumatic injuries" sustained in the crash. According to a statement from Lakota Local Schools obtained by WCPO media partner The Journal-News, Masri was a freshman at Lakota West.

“It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of one of our Lakota West Freshman students, Laith Masri. Information has been shared with our families and staff about counseling and grief support that will be available during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with Laith’s family and friends, as well as those of our other students who were also involved in the accident,” said Betsy Fuller, district director of communications.

Middletown police said the crash happened around 11:15 p.m. on North Verity Parkway near Hughes Street, when the driver of an SUV heading south on North Verity Parkway hit a pole.

A WCPO 9 crew spotted the vehicle in the woods near the intersection.

Police said there were six people in the vehicle in total.

The other five people were transported to hospitals; police said their injuries ranged from minor to potentially life-threatening.

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