Fatal Crash in High School Claims Mahopac Alum’s Life
PROVIDED BY THE MAHOPAC FALLS FIRE DEPARTMENT
A Mahopac High School graduate’s life was cut short late last Friday after he crashed his car into his former high school, leaving the Mahopac community in shock and mourning.
At about 11:26 on Feb. 21, 19-year-old David Diachenko crashed his 1990 BMW into the side of Mahopac High School, after the vehicle appeared to leave the roadway in the area of the high school and struck the building, according to Carmel police. Diachenko was rushed to Putnam Hospital Center after multiple emergency response units rushed to the accident.
He succumbed to his injuries at the hospital in Carmel; with an autopsy report showing it was from blunt force trauma to the teenager’s upper torso that led to severe internal bleeding, according to Carmel police.
Superintendent Thomas Manko said when he heard about the accident involving a former Mahopac student; it hit him like a “ton of bricks.”
“You’re almost speechless at that point and time and you feel so bad for the family of the young fellow that lost his life,” Manko said in a phone interview late Sunday night.
Carmel police Lt. Michael Cazzari said police are awaiting a toxicology report, which could take months and the completion of the accident re-construction analysis.
The car crash also left part of the high school with structural damage, Manko said. The high school was open as usual last Monday, with classes being relocated and support staff available for grieving students and staff. Originally, it was thought at least 10 classrooms weren’t usable because of the damage, but Manko said only three classrooms have been affected.
The repairs to the portion of the building hit by the vehicle could take weeks, if not months to complete, Manko said. He added most of the construction would hopefully be done at times while instruction is not in session.
Looking back on the entire weekend, Manko called the situation “unique” and one he’s never seen or experienced in his more than 30 years as an administrator in New York.
But he noted the Mahopac school community would persevere following Diachenko’s tragic death.
“That’s Mahopac for you, that’s the way people are,” Manko said. “They pull together in times of trouble. We celebrate our successes but we certainly support each other in times of trouble and when we need each other.”
