Teen Dies After Being Pinned Under Door of Jeep

A 16-year-old boy died Friday after he was pinned under the door of a Jeep in a driveway in Canton, Massachusetts.

Officials say the Paul O'Brien was reversing the SUV when it accelerated and spun out. He was partially thrown from the SUV, dragged and wedged under the door.

For many students at Canton High School, the death of their sophomore classmate is the first time they've dealt with death.

"I can't believe that something so quickly can happen, in the blink of an eye," said O'Brien's friend, Kyle Toy.

O'Brien died after he was run over by a Jeep he was backing out of a driveway near his home on Chapel Street.

Police say it's not clear what caused the SUV to accelerate suddenly, pushing into a home.

An airlift was initially requested, but it was called off because he needed to be transported sooner. He was brought to Norwood Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

"When you have a 16-year-old that passes away, it strikes to the heart of any community," said Canton Police Chief Kenneth Berkowitz.

"Paul was a special person in our tight-knit school community and all of our thoughts and support are with his family and friends during this difficult time. As a school, we will remember Paul as an affable young man who developed close relationships with many students and staff and as a student who always worked hard to get better each day. He will be greatly missed."

To help the healing process, O'Brien's classmates were invited to come together at the high school to meet with grief councilors.

Friends say O'Brien loved cars and fixing them up, adding that he was loved by many.

"He was just a nice person," said Toy. "Enthusiastic, smart, caring guy."

Police would not say whether O'Brien had a license or was learning to drive. They did confirm that he was not using a cell phone.

The cause of the bizarre and deadly crash remains under investigation.

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