Michael Kleinke, a 17-year-old from Colonie, died after a fatal car crash Thursday on Route 85
Bethlehem Police are investigating a car crash that left a 17-year-old Colonie high school student dead on Thursday.
SKIP DICKSTEIN/ALBANY TIMES UNIONA Colonie Central High School student is dead after a fatal vehicle collision that occurred Thursday on Route 85.
Bethlehem Police responded to a two-car crash near the Albany city line at approximately 2:08 p.m. on Thursday. A 17-year-old from Colonie was one of the drivers involved in the collision and was later pronounced dead, police said.
The victim was identified by South Colonie School District as Michael Kleinke, a senior at Colonie Central High School. A message from Superintendent David Perry was posted Saturday on the district’s website mourning the loss of the “bright and promising young individual.”
“Our entire South Colonie School community is devastated by this unimaginable loss,” the note reads. “Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest condolences go out to Michael’s family, friends and loved ones as they navigate through this incredibly difficult time.”
The Spotlight newspaper of Colonie previously reported on Kleinke’s death.
The other driver, a 71-year-old Slingerlands man, was transported to the hospital with unknown injuries, authorities said. The cause of the crash is still under investigation by the Bethlehem Police Department and the Albany County Crash Investigation Team.