Student killed in South Hadley crash

Chronicle staff

unior Peter Jekanowski, 20, of Hadley, died as a result of injuries incurred in an automobile accident Jan. 21 in South Hadley.

     Jekanowski, a Journalism major, was driving north on Route 47 around 10 p.m. when the accident occurred. His car left the road, breaking through a guardrail, and fell down a 60-foot embankment, landing on its roof in Bachelor Brook, according to South Hadley Police.

     After two attempts to break into the car by police officers, the South Hadley Fire Department removed him from the car. He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Holyoke Hospital.

     State Police are investigating the cause of the crash and an autopsy was scheduled.

     He was a graduate of Hopkins Academy in Hadley and a member of the Massachusetts National Guard.

     He leaves his parents, Peter and Sally Jekanowski; his maternal grandmother, Stephanie Opielowski; and four brothers, Gary Jekanowski of Roselle Park, N.J., Mark Jekanowski of McLean, Va., and Paul and Kevin Jekanowski of Hadley.

     A funeral is scheduled for Jan. 26 at 8 a.m. at the Czelusniak Funeral Home of Northampton with a 9 a.m. Mass in Most Holy Redeemer Church in Hadley.

     Memorial gifts may be made to the Peter Jekanowski Scholarship Fund, Easthampton Savings Bank, c/o John Vassallo, P.O. Box 81, Hadley 01035.