Two Killed in High-Speed Crash in Cambria County: Community Mourns the Loss of 21-Year-Old Ian Viscusi and 16-Year-Old Student Breyona Neff

Summerhill Township, PA — A tragic crash in Cambria County has claimed the lives of two young residents, sending shockwaves through the close-knit communities of Portage and Bon Air. Authorities have identified the victims as 21-year-old Ian Viscusi and 16-year-old Breyona Neff, whose lives were cut short in a violent single-vehicle accident Sunday morning along Portage Street in Summerhill Township.

The fatal crash occurred just before 11:30 a.m. on July 20, when the pickup truck driven by Viscusi veered off Route 53 and slammed into a telephone pole. Cambria County Coroner Jeff Lees confirmed that both victims were pronounced dead at the scene after suffering multiple blunt force trauma injuries. The crash site, located along the 2800 block of Portage Street, quickly became a scene of emergency response and deep sorrow.

Speed Cited as Contributing Factor

According to investigators, excessive speed played a major role in the crash. Viscusi was reportedly traveling southbound at a high rate of speed when he lost control of the pickup truck, causing it to leave the roadway and collide with the utility pole. The impact was so severe that both individuals were heavily entrapped in the mangled vehicle, leaving first responders with a challenging recovery operation.

Fire departments from Beaverdale and Portage were dispatched to the scene to assist the coroner’s office. Toxicology tests are pending for Viscusi as part of the ongoing investigation. Officials have not released additional details but say the collision remains under active review.

Victims Identified: A Student and a Young Driver

The male driver, Ian Viscusi, was a 21-year-old resident of Portage. Known for his love of cars, off-roading, and time spent with friends, those close to Ian remember him as an energetic and fearless young man with a loyal heart. Social media tributes describe a “free spirit” who “loved to make people laugh.”

The passenger, 16-year-old Breyona Neff of Bon Air, was a student at Conemaugh Valley School District and set to begin her junior year this fall. Her death has cast a dark cloud over the district, which issued a letter to families acknowledging the tragedy and pledging emotional support for students and staff.

“Our hearts are broken by the loss of Breyona,” district officials wrote. “She was a cherished member of our school community, and her absence will be deeply felt by her classmates, teachers, and all who knew her.”

Counselors have been made available at the school, and grief support teams are working to help students cope with the shocking loss.

A School and Town in Mourning

Breyona was known by friends and teachers as a kind, respectful, and warm-hearted young woman. She participated in school activities and was reportedly looking forward to a busy year ahead. News of her death spread rapidly through the district, with classmates, parents, and educators expressing disbelief and grief.

“She had a light in her,” one of Breyona’s teachers said. “This is the kind of tragedy that leaves a permanent mark on a school community.”

Local residents have begun placing flowers, candles, and handwritten notes near the crash site. A growing memorial now stands as a somber tribute to two young lives lost in the blink of an eye.

Remembering Ian Viscusi

Ian Viscusi’s family and friends have described him as a thrill-seeker with a big heart. “He lived fast, but he loved hard,” one friend wrote. “If you knew Ian, you knew he’d give the shirt off his back to help someone.”

Though young, Ian had experienced the loss of friends in similar circumstances in recent years, and according to those who knew him, it had deeply affected him. “This is a tragedy that runs in circles,” said one family member. “We just never thought it would be him.”

A Stark Reminder About Speed and Road Safety

As the investigation continues, officials are reminding drivers—especially young ones—about the devastating consequences of reckless driving. High-speed crashes remain one of the leading causes of death for teens and young adults nationwide.

“This tragedy should serve as a wake-up call,” Coroner Jeff Lees said. “Two young people are gone. Families are grieving. And a community is shattered. We all need to take a serious look at how we behave behind the wheel.”

Community Response and Next Steps

Memorial services for both victims are being planned, with separate arrangements expected for the Viscusi and Neff families. Meanwhile, local organizations and churches are organizing vigils and fundraisers to support the grieving families and honor the lives lost.

Cambria County officials urge anyone with additional information or who may have witnessed the crash to come forward to aid the investigation.

As friends and family try to make sense of the tragedy, the names Ian Viscusi and Breyona Neff will be remembered—not for how they died, but for the lives they touched in their short time on Earth.