Beloved Pittsburgh-Area High School Teacher Killed In Car Crash

PITTSBURGH, PA — A Pittsburgh-area high school teacher has been identified as the man killed Friday when his vehicle plunged about 80 feet off of the Parkway East and landed in a creek.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as Josh Willy, 49. He was a Penn Hills High School teacher.

At around 8:30 a.m. Friday, Willy's SUV exited the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and left the outbound lane of the Commercial Street Bridge, landing near Commercial Street in Nine Mile Run. A Pennsylvania State Police report did not give a cause for the crash. The incident remains under investigation.

Penn Hills School District.

Willy had been with the Penn Hills School District for more than 23 years, serving as a social studies teacher and as a gifted coordinator.

"Josh was a deeply valued colleague and his tragic passing is felt by all of us," Superintendent John Mozzocio said in a statement. "He was a wonderful teacher of AP World History and Honors Civics, and his work with our high school gifted students was exceptional. Please keep Josh's family, friends, colleagues, and students in your thoughts and prayers."

Counseling will be available at the high school next week. There are no classes on Monday as the district observes Martin Luther King Day.

"If you or your child needs to speak with someone, we will ensure the necessary support is available," a district release stated. "We appreciate your understanding as we navigate this difficult time."

Willy is survived by a wife and three children. Funeral arrangements were not immediately available.