Indiana crash kills two Valley residents
A Hubbard teacher and a former local football standout were killed Sunday in a triple-fatal crash on an Indiana toll road.
Deceased are Mark Pelini, 31, of Canfield, and his front-seat passenger, Jillian Marian, 31, of Youngstown, according to Indiana State Police.
Marian was a Hubbard High School math teacher who has taught algebra in the district since 2019. Pelini is a former football standout for the University of Nebraska, playing under his uncle, Bo Pelini. He also was a 2010 graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School.
According to a report, Pelini was driving a white 2017 Ford SUV west on the toll road about 7:55 p.m. Sunday when the vehicle hit a deer. The SUV crossed the center median and collided with an eastbound black 2017 Ford pickup driven by David Taylor, 56, of Harrisburg, Pa., according to the Indiana State Police report.
One person in the front seat of Taylor’s vehicle also was killed. She was identified as Jane Beecher, 57, of Harrisburg. A back seat passenger, Christopher Taylor, 29, of Harrisburg, was injured. He and David Taylor remain in Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Ind., according to the police report.
Both Pelini and Marian were pronounced dead at the scene.
Hubbard school officials informed staff and students of Marian’s death Monday and had crisis-management counselors available.
Kate Keller, a spokeswoman for the district, said the crisis-response team, which includes district counselors, will continue to be available through the week for any student or staff who may want to talk.
Keller said Hubbard Superintendent Raymond Soloman said he has received calls from other superintendents who have offered assistance and additional counselors.
Hubbard City Safety Director Bill Bancroft said at Monday’s city council meeting that members of the police department took police dog Oakley to the school to provide support and comfort to the students and will continue as needed.
“We wanted to be there to help provide support to the students after the teacher had passed away in a crash. This was very tragic. Our hearts go out to everyone involved. We want to help everyone get through this,” Bancroft said.
Members of the girls soccer team held a moment of silence at their game Monday to remember Marian.
Marian was a girls volleyball and basketball coach for St. Charles School in Boardman.
The 2016 Youngstown State University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and statistics, Marian earned her master’s in 2018 and was working on her doctorate at Walden University.
Calling hours for Marian are 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Charles Borromeo Church, Boardman. The rest of the arrangements are pending from Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes.
Pelini was the general manager of Youngstown Pipe and Steel LLC, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Arrangements for Pelini are pending.