PINE BUSH – Family and friends were left devastated by the death of 17-year-old Tyler Kyles in a car accident on Saturday, August 15.

The car, a 2004 Honda Civic, was being driven down Crawford Street at around 7:30 p.m., by Cameron Engels, also 17, and a student at Pine Bush High School.

According to the Town of Crawford Police, Michael Kyles, Tyler's twin brother, was in the front seat and Tyler was in the back when Engels lost control, ran off the road, and struck a utility pole. Tyler Kyles was killed, while the two boys in the front seats received minor injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.

Tyler Kyles was a skateboarder and a friendly kid, according to his friends, who put up a memorial page to him on Facebook.

Aaron Hopmeyer, Principal of Pine Bush High School, was also devastated.

"Kids need to remember that just because they pass a driving test at the age of 16 or 17, that doesn't make them good drivers. They don't have the experience to be good drivers."

Chief Dan McCann of the Town of Crawford Police seconds that opinion.

"Experienced drivers have a fund of knowledge about conditions on the roads during the day and the night," said Chief McCann. "They know that at dusk the deer will be moving and may cross the roads. They know that in a populated area, small children may run out into the road, chasing a ball, or sometimes nothing at all. They're aware of these things, because they've been driving for a while."

Hopmeyer said that Kyles's death was a "tragedy" and that "Kyles was a good kid; he will be missed."

Chief McCann said that what the police see from accidents involving teens is "Distraction, that's the key factor. That and speed, of course, but there are so many dangerous distractions. It can be using a cell phone while driving, or it can be just having friends in the car. Sometimes it can be from having food and sodas while driving; these are all things that come into play and with younger drivers. There isn't enough forethought about what might happen on the road ahead."

Chief McCann also addressed the issue of seat belts. "Regardless of your age, everyone in a vehicle should fasten their seatbelts. What people forget is that the modern vehicle is designed with crumple zones that absorb impacts and protect the riders inside. The seatbelts are designed to keep you in the safe zones inside the car. We strongly recommend that everyone buckle up.

"It's a huge responsibility to be a driver. Drivers make choices all the time they're on the road and those choices affect the safety of those who are in the car with them and everyone else on the road as well."

At press time no further information about the cause of the crash or Tyler Kyles' death had been released.