A 17-year-old Westmoreland County teenager who was critically injured Wednesday in a one-vehicle crash in Unity died of his injuries at a Pittsburgh hospital, family members said.
Joshua Ryan Nearanzio of Loyalhanna in Derry Township died at 3:45 p.m. Saturday afternoon at UPMC Presbyterian hospital, where he was transported after the 3:14 p.m. crash on Beatty County Road near Saint Vincent College.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said he died of blunt-force injuries to his head and trunk.
State police in Greensburg reported the crash occurred after Nearanzio lost control of his 2001 Toyota Celica on the two-lane road while attempting to pass another vehicle, went off the road and struck a tree.
“My son really loved to help other people. He had so many friends… people really liked him,” said Nearanzio’s mother, Amber Nearanzio.
Nearanzio attended cyber school but formerly attended Greater Latrobe School District, his mother said.
She said Joshua planned to join the Navy after graduation next year.
“He worked with his dad, Scott, at his dad’s business, Nearanzio Contracting. Joshua was really good at everything he did,” Amber Nearanzio said.
She said Joshua liked working on his Toyota Celica that was a gift from an older sister.
“He liked working on all cars, really,” she said.
He enjoyed the outdoors, having participated in the Outdoor Odyssey leadership academy program in Somerset County and a young Marine Corps program.
In addition to his mother and father, he is survived by two sisters, Jasmine Martin of Florida and Jenna Beeman of Latrobe; two brothers, Hiram and Zachary, and Joshua’s biological mother, LeeAnn Garel of Greensburg.
Acquaintances were quick to set up a GoFundMe account for Nearanzio’s family to help defray funeral expenses. The account had already reached $6,685 toward its $10,000 goal by 1 p.m. Sunday.
The account was set up by Elizabeth Kane of Irwin. Kane’s daughter, Katessa Laymon, dated Nearanzio.
“Joshua was the boyfriend of my daughter and the most respectful young man I have met,” Kane said.
Funeral arrangements were incomplete, Amber Nearanzio said.
