Marblehead High School student-athlete killed in causeway crash

The Massachusetts community of Marblehead is mourning the loss of a high school student who was just months away from graduating and going on to play college football.Marblehead Police Chief Dennis King said 18-year-old James Galante, of Marblehead, died of injuries he suffered in a car crash off the town’s causeway early Friday morning.Police officers responded to a report of a vehicle that had gone off the causeway at 3 a.m. Friday and they, along with firefighters, found that vehicle — about halfway down the causeway on the harbor side — with extensive damage and one person inside.The victim of the crash, later identified as Galante, received medical treatment at the scene and was transported to an area hospital by ambulance with serious, life-threatening injuries.King said Galante died of his injuries Friday afternoon.”This will surely have a great impact on our tightknit community and we are working closely with the Marblehead School District to ensure they will be supported in the coming days and weeks,” King said in a statement.Galante played running back, cornerback and returned punts for the Marblehead High football team. He experienced a magical senior season as the Marblehead Magicians defeated Thanksgiving rival Swampscott High on a last-second field goal and capped off a perfect 12-0 record with a thrilling victory in the Division 3 Super Bowl against North Attleborough High. Just days before the crash, Marblehead High School’s booster club announced via Facebook that Galante would be continuing his football career at Denison University, an NCAA Division III program in Granville, Ohio.Flowers are being left by the base of a light post on the causeway in Marblehead as a memorial for Galante.A vigil in Galante’s honor is happening Saturday night at Piper Field, the football field at Marblehead High School.”On a personal note, I have a daughter who is a senior in high school. My wife and I are heartbroken for the Galante family as we reflect and head into the end of her high school years, just as they should be doing,” King said in a follow-up statement. “I can only offer my family’s heartfelt condolences, and assurances that we will conduct a complete and thorough investigation.”The Marblehead Police Detective Division and the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section are investigating to determine what factors may have led to the crash. King said investigations of this nature take time and that it may take weeks before a final report on the crash is complete.Anyone who may have information about the crash is asked to call the Marblehead Police Department at 781-631-1212 and ask to speak with Detective Sgt. Sean Brady or Detective Theresa Gay.

MARBLEHEAD, Mass. —

The Massachusetts community of Marblehead is mourning the loss of a high school student who was just months away from graduating and going on to play college football.

Marblehead Police Chief Dennis King said 18-year-old James Galante, of Marblehead, died of injuries he suffered in a car crash off the town’s causeway early Friday morning.

Police officers responded to a report of a vehicle that had gone off the causeway at 3 a.m. Friday and they, along with firefighters, found that vehicle — about halfway down the causeway on the harbor side — with extensive damage and one person inside.

The victim of the crash, later identified as Galante, received medical treatment at the scene and was transported to an area hospital by ambulance with serious, life-threatening injuries.

King said Galante died of his injuries Friday afternoon.

“This will surely have a great impact on our tightknit community and we are working closely with the Marblehead School District to ensure they will be supported in the coming days and weeks,” King said in a statement.

Galante played running back, cornerback and returned punts for the Marblehead High football team. He experienced a magical senior season as the Marblehead Magicians defeated Thanksgiving rival Swampscott High on a last-second field goal and capped off a perfect 12-0 record with a thrilling victory in the Division 3 Super Bowl against North Attleborough High.

Just days before the crash, Marblehead High School’s booster club announced via Facebook that Galante would be continuing his football career at Denison University, an NCAA Division III program in Granville, Ohio.

Wicked Local/David Sokol

Flowers are being left by the base of a light post on the causeway in Marblehead as a memorial for Galante.

A vigil in Galante’s honor is happening Saturday night at Piper Field, the football field at Marblehead High School.

“On a personal note, I have a daughter who is a senior in high school. My wife and I are heartbroken for the Galante family as we reflect and head into the end of her high school years, just as they should be doing,” King said in a follow-up statement. “I can only offer my family’s heartfelt condolences, and assurances that we will conduct a complete and thorough investigation.”

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The Marblehead Police Detective Division and the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section are investigating to determine what factors may have led to the crash. King said investigations of this nature take time and that it may take weeks before a final report on the crash is complete.

Anyone who may have information about the crash is asked to call the Marblehead Police Department at 781-631-1212 and ask to speak with Detective Sgt. Sean Brady or Detective Theresa Gay.

Wicked Local/Ann Ringwood

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