A pall of tragedy was cast over Westminster High School's homecoming dance Saturday night when word reached students that a classmate, senior Matthew Boles, 17, of Westminster, had been killed in a car accident.

According to a press release issued by the Maryland State Police, Boles was killed in an accident that occurred shortly after 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, on Route 31, near Clemsonville Road, in Frederick County.

According to the police report, Matthew was driving his Nissan west on Route 31 when he lost control of his vehicle on the wet roadway. His Nissan crossed the center line and struck another vehicle head-on. That vehicle was then struck by a third vehicle.

The third vehicle and Matthew's Nissan both skidded off the road and struck each other before coming to rest, police said.

According to the police, the occupants of the other two cars were treated at area hospitals for minor injuries.

Matthew was pronounced dead at the scene. His 15-year-old sister, Caitlin, who was a passenger in the car, was transported to Carroll Hospital Center, then transferred to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma in critical condition.

Westminster principal Kenneth Goncz said school counselors were made available at the school's homecoming dance on Saturday evening. Counselors were also available for students on Monday.

"We brought them in to provide extra support for those students who knew him best," Goncz said.

He said administrators also sent a letter home to all parents explaining the steps the school was taking to provide emotional support to students.

"(Matthew) was a very nice young man," Goncz said. "He was really into skateboarding and was very avid in Boy Scouts. He was also looking forward to going to Brigham Young University in the fall."

Matthew was a member of Boy Scout Troop 595 and was at work on his Eagle Scout project.

Christina Dougherty, Westminster High's System Principal for Seniors, said the sense of loss is acute and Boles will definitely be missed.

"Matt did well here," Dougherty added. "He sort of had a fun-loving, mischievous nature, but he was very respectful and made a lot of connections with staff and students."

She said Matthew was well liked by fellow students he'd worked with at part-time jobs at Hoffman's Ice Cream and, more recently, at Auntie Anne's Pretzels at TownMall of Westminster.

Dougherty said Matthew was also an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints, in Westminster, and did a lot of volunteer work through the church.

"He was also a role model for his younger siblings and they were best friends," she added.

According to Dougherty, Matthew and his younger sister, Caitlin, had been very close. "They came to school together, went home together and ate lunch together," she added. "They even did service work at the school together."

Funeral services for Matthew Boles will be held at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 29, at the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, 595 Johann Drive, Westminster. Internment will be private.

Memorial donations can be made to Boy Scouts of America Troop 595, c/o Matt Boles Memorial Fund, 3515 Middleburg Road, Union Bridge, MD 21791.

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