Penn State Student Dies in Hotel Van Crash

UPDATED at 3 p.m. Sept. 29

A Penn State senior was killed in a one-vehicle crash while working for a local hotel over the weekend.

State College police say Joshua Mejia of Bergenfield, N.J., died Sunday after sustaining injuries while driving a shuttle van for the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center. Officials say Mejia was returning to the hotel after dropping someone at the airport. He was the only occupant in the Dodge Caravan.

State College police are investigating the fatal crash that occurred just before 2 p.m on East Park Avenue at Innovation Boulevard and the I-99 ramps.

Police say a preliminary investigation, including eye witness accounts, indicates the victim was traveling at an “excessive speed” when the crash occurred.

Mejia reportedly turned left from Fox Hollow Road onto Park Avenue heading east, when he missed the exit ramp to Innovation Park and ran into a large metal highway post. The vehicle caught fire leaving Mejia trapped inside and emergency responders extricated him from the van.

Police say the victim was transported to Mount Nittany Medical Center with severe head and chest injuries. He was pronounced dead at 2:37 p.m.

Penn State spokesperson Lisa Powers says Mejia was a student in the Health and Human Development College.

“We are profoundly saddened by this tragic accident,” says Powers. “It is always painful to hear of the loss of any student and our hearts go out to his family and friends.”

Powers says Student Affairs has been notified and has been in contact with the victim’s family.

Authorities closed East Park Avenue eastbound for roughly four hours.

Assisting agencies included Alpha Fire Company, Centre Life Link, Alpha Fire Police, and staff at the Penn Stater and Penn State University.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or can provide additional details about the incident can call State College police at 814-234-7150 or submit and anonymous tip HERE.

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