The Ross Township community is mourning the death of a 17-year-old former North Hills High School student who died in a single-vehicle crash on Sunday night.
Jacob Christopher Weiland of Pittsburgh was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident on March 7 by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner.
The crash occurred shortly after 9 p.m. in the 300 block of McIntyre Road when the Honda sedan Weiland was driving went off the road and struck a tree, according to Ross police.
There were no passengers in the vehicle.
Police said a preliminary investigation of the wreck indicates that Weiland was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but speed may have been a factor in the crash.
Weiland was a junior at North Hills High School during the 2019-20 school year, according to the district.
“The North Hills School District is deeply saddened to learn of the unexpected and tragic death of a former student,” officials posted on the district website and on social media.
School officials said Weiland attended McIntyre Elementary School, North Hills Middle School and North Hills High School. He was not enrolled in a district school when he died.
“We send our deepest sympathies to the student’s family and friends following this unimaginable loss,” they wrote.
Dozens of people posted messages of condolence on the school district’s Facebook page after the teen’s death was announced.
The district also made counseling services available at the high school. The district also provided students with information about services including the Resolve Crisis Network, the Crisis Text Line, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the Safe2Say Something hotline.
Weiland was the son of Nathan and Lisa Weiland. In addition to his parents, he is survived by a sister, grandparents and a number of relatives and friends.
Funeral services are being handled by Simon Funeral Home, 7720 Perry Highway in Ross.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, March 12. A private funeral service will be held the following day.
A celebration of Weiland’s life will be held at the Point Shelter in North Park from noon to 6 p.m. on March 27, which would have been the teen’s 18th birthday. Guests are asked to bring a letter of remembrance to present to the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Christ Episcopal Church or the City of Bridges High School.
