Speed blamed for crash that killed teens

Photo: The Post-Star

SOUTH GLENS FALLS - The South Glens Falls school community is mourning the loss of two young lives.

Police say excessive speed caused the crash that killed 17-year-old Matthew Habshi and 15-year-old Briana Diorio.

Police say Habshi was driving his Trans Am 75 miles per hour when he crashed into a tree and a utility pole on Route 32 in Moreau. It Happened Around 12:15 p.m. Wednesday.

Guy Swears lives nearby and says he was first on the scene.

"I peered into the car and knew immediately that there was no help for anybody that was left in there," he said.

"We couldn't do anything because of the live wires. There were power wires bouncing around. There was smoke and fire. There was concern about everybody's safety," Swears added.

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Two teens killed in Moreau car crash

A front seat passenger, 17-year-old Brandon Nelson survived.

Nelson is from Queensbury. Habshi and Diorio both attended South Glens Falls High School.

"It's just a very tragic day," said Dr. James McCarthy South Glens Falls School superintendent.

Habshi was a junior. The superintendent calls him a nice, unassuming young man. Diorio was a freshman.

"Briana, said, 'Mom, I'll see you later.' And 45 minutes later, she was dead," McCarthy said. "She had a smile that you would never forget. Very kind and caring and upbeat."

But it all ended suddenly and tragically on Route 32.

Swears will never forget it.

"I've never seen anything like it in my life and I hope I never have to see it again," Swears said.

The survivor in the crash was treated at Albany Medical Center, but has since been released.