Police say speed was cause of crash that killed teen

MASSENA — Excessive speed is being blamed for a crash that killed a Massena High School senior Tuesday evening.

Robert W. Rochefort, 17, was driving west about 5 p.m. on Route 37 near East Orvis Street when his vehicle went off the road and hit a utility pole, state police said. The road was dry at the time.

"The main factor that caused this accident was speed," Sgt. James A. Lobdell said Wednesday.

"We found skid marks at the scene. He did attempt to slow down, but he lost control and hit the steel pole."

A passenger, Steven LaClair, 17, also a senior, was taken to Massena Memorial Hospital for treatment of several injuries and later released, hospital officials said Wednesday.

The teens were coming from McDonald's at the St. Lawrence Centre mall when the crash occurred, police said. Mr. Rochefort had a valid junior driver's license, they said.

The investigation is continuing, with troopers hoping to determine the speed of the car at the time of the accident.

Massena Central School offered grief counselors to students and faculty Wednesday. A memorial with several flowers was created Wednesday morning at the crash site, troopers said.

A full obituary appears on Page B4.