Cemetery crash victim identified

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - West Springfield Police say it was a 22-year-old man from West Springfield who died when his car crashed into a cemetery gate early Thursday Morning.

West Springfield Police Traffic Sgt. Daniel Spaulding told 22News that Jason Johnson was killed instantly when his car hit a brick pillar and wrought iron gate at the entrance of the Temple Beth El Cemetery on King's Highway.

Sgt. Spaulding said there was no evidence of alcohol however the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed just prior to the 1:45 a.m. crash.

Sgt. Spaulding said Johnson was alone in the vehicle and was the only one involved in the crash.

"There was no evidence of alcohol at the scene. It's unclear whether the Hampden County medical Examiner intended to perform a full autopsy and toxicology testing, since no one else was involved, and it was clear the victim was killed from injuries suffered in the crash," Spaulding said.

A friend of the accident victim spoke to 22News.

"He was a good person. He was awesome, always an up and go person, never a downer. I loved the kid to death, I loved him to death,” said Greg Mabb, a family friend.