Downingtown Sees Tragic Teen Death On Monday

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — A Downingtown teen died by suicide on Monday afternoon, authorities confirmed as the community mourned the tragic loss. Pennsylvania State Trooper and Public Services Officer Kevin Kochka confirmed a 17-year-old male died.

State Trooper Kelly McIntyre, Community Services Officer, said PA state troopers were called to the trestle bridge on Route 322 just west of Bradford Avenue, in Downingtown at 1:29 p.m. on Monday.

Downingtown Police closed the road in both directions after the incident. The department posted on social media early Monday afternoon that motorists should avoid the area of Route 322 between the streets of Bradford Avenue and Robbins Road, saying the section of Route 322 would be closed for an extended period of time. The road reopened late Monday afternoon.

Kochka emphasized that the mental health of young people has "taken a terrible toll" in the last year's pandemic. He declined to give details regarding the manner of the youth's death.

"We need to normalize mental health and that it is OK to talk about the thoughts you're having, what you're feeling. Reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness," Kochka said. "We need our kids to know that there is no shame whatsoever in talking about it."

He added, "Mental health is not only a major issue right now with our teenagers, but this pandemic is going to have a longer effect than just the virus itself."

A Go Fund Me page has been set up to support the family. The page was created on Tuesday with a goal of raising $10,088 but on Wednesday afternoon had already brought in $33,688 from 685 donors.

Kochka warned that although the pandemic is slowly ending, the side effects are going to be long-lasting. "We need to keep our children safe; they've never had to deal with something like this before," he said.

Kochka said he is hoping to see more training and education around mental health problems.

"The early identification of signs and symptoms that someone may be having a mental health crisis event, could save someone's life and keep themselves and or others safe," he said.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be accessed here.