East Ridge student involved in two-vehicle crash dies

• Braedon Hyland

East Ridge High School student Braedon Hyland, who died Friday, Oct. 14 after suffering injuries in a two-vehicle crash.
• Braedon Hyland on Raptors hockey team

Braedon Hyland, an East Ridge High School student and member of the Raptors' football, hockey and track teams, died Oct. 14. Bulletin file photo

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An East Ridge High School student involved in a two-vehicle crash earlier this week has died.

South Washington County School District Communications Director Barb Brown confirmed that Braedon Hyland died this afternoon. Hyland was from Woodbury.

“He is recognized for his enthusiasm and great sense of humor,” Brown said in a news release. “Staff at East Ridge said he was a great friend to many, transcending many student groups.”

Hyland, a member of the Raptors’ football, hockey and track teams, was the passenger in a car driven Monday by classmate Blake Sowle that collided with another vehicle in Afton. The crash left both Hyland, 18, and Sowle, 17, in critical condition. Sowle remained in critical condition Friday afternoon at Gillette Children’s Hospital, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

The driver and passengers in the second vehicle – a 36-year-old Lakeland man and three children – were all hospitalized at Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater with non-life threatening injuries.

According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Sowle was driving westbound at a high rate of speed on 15th Street when he failed to stop at a stop sign turning south onto Neal Avenue South, and collided with the other vehicle.

Brown said a memorial service is being held for Hyland will be 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17, in the “Perch” Gymnasium at East Ridge.

Tags: high schools, updates, education, social