Sep 16, 2017 2 min read

An 18-year-old man died Saturday after being involved in a crash on Interstate 70 near Fallowfield Township late Friday night, according to state police.

Michael Christopher Shipe of Charleroi was traveling westbound on I-70 when his vehicle impacted the rear of a tractor-trailer about 11:35 p.m. Friday. Washington County coroner’s office said in a release Shipe was pronounced dead at 12:42 a.m. Saturday near mile marker 36. He was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

The coroner’s office said the cause and manner of death are pending. State police are investigating the crash.

Shipe graduated from Charleroi Area High School earlier this year, playing several seasons of soccer for the Cougars while he was there.

Tom Cameron, a former Charleroi Area head soccer coach, remembered Shipe as the “ultimate team player.”

Cameron coached Shipe two years ago while he was a junior. He scored several goals that season.

“He was a great kid. The team loved him. I loved him,” Cameron said. “He never caused trouble.”

Cameron went on to say he was mostly at a loss for words upon hearing about the death but called Shipe “a sweet, lovable young man. I feel so sorry for their family.”

Assisting at the scene were Fallowfield Township Volunteer Fire Department and Mon Valley EMS.