Franklin high school student dies after car crash

A local high school student died after a car crash Tuesday afternoon on Franklin’s northside.

Colton Alexander Leeper, 17, died Tuesday night at IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

Deputies responded just after 3 p.m. Tuesday to the 3600 block of Hurricane Road, just north of Earlywood Drive, where they found a white 1995 Chevrolet Suburban flipped over about 75 feet into a field off the eastside of the road. Leeper had been ejected from the SUV and was laying outside the vehicle. Investigators said he was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident, according to the crash report.

The Franklin Community High School student was northbound on Hurricane Road and crossed the center line in front of another car, nearly striking it, the driver of that car said. Leeper attempted to gain control of his vehicle, but left the roadway, which caused it to flip, according to a Johnson County Sheriff’s Office news release.

The Needham Fire Department and Seals Ambulance Service also responded to the scene.

Franklin Community Schools notified the students, staff and parents Wednesday morning.

“It is with a heavy heart this morning we share information we received about the passing of one of our students, senior Colton Leeper,” the district said in an email. “(We) ask the Franklin High School community to keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.”

Counselors and staff from across the district are available throughout the day for support, school officials said.

“If anyone would need to talk with a staff member, we encourage them to seek that support,” the email said. “It is certainly a difficult day for our students and staff, and important for us to support each other during these times.”