Swansea

Swansea Teen Killed in Crash Mourned at Vigil

Hundreds of people remembered 17-year-old Ethan Kielec at a candlelight vigil days after he was killed in a car crash in Swansea, Massachusetts

0:00
0:00 / 2:02
NBC Universal, Inc.

Hundreds attended a candlelight vigil for 17-year-old Ethan Kielec.

Hundreds of people gathered Thursday night in Swansea, Massachusetts, to mourn a teenager killed last week in a car crash.

Seventeen-year-old Ethan Kielec of Swansea died Friday night after crashing into a fire hydrant and a utility pole on Marvel Street, police said. A passenger, also 17, was injured and taken to a local hospital.

Stream NBC10 Boston news for free, 24/7, wherever you are.

Watch button  WATCH HERE

Kielec was a dedicated Boy Scout in Troop 303. His father, Matthew, is the scoutmaster.

"My first thought was, 'Oh my god, how am I going to handle this?'" Matthew Kielec said.

Get updates on what's happening in Boston to your inbox with our News Headlines newsletter.

Newsletter button  SIGN UP

He was joined by many community members Thursday night at Swansea Veterans Memorial Park, where a candlelight vigil was held for his son.

"I know it's going to be a long healing process," Matthew Kielec said. "I hope that what we've done tonight has helped some of the other members of the town."

"This is a kid that makes a difference, OK. He makes the world a better place," said Bob Flynn, who has been involved in scouting for more than 40 years. "There is now a hole in the fabric of mankind. And his hole is a lot bigger than what most people leave."

Authorities said last week they were investigating the cause of the crash.

Contact Us