An 18-year-old Kitchener man is dead after a single-vehicle crash early Wednesday morning. It happened just after midnight on New Dundee Road in southwest Kitchener.
Waterloo Regional Police say Dustin Picard was travelling eastbound on New Dundee Road and crossed over the westbound lane and struck the barrier before rolling several times.
Picard was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police closed New Dundee Road between Dodge Drive and Cameron Road for several hours while they investigated.
Picard's friends say he was an energetic student and well liked by the students at Huron Heights Secondary School.
School Principal Cathy Vollmer-Ashley says he was active on both the football and rugby team.
"Dustin was a very sensitive young man, very loyal to his friends and comments from staff is how respectful he was to all of us."
A memorial has been set up at the school where students are remembering their friend.
"He was always making everyone laugh" says Natalie Gondosch. "If he was having a bad day and you were having a bad day, he would definitely choose your bad and try to turn it around before his. That's just who he was."
Dustin had just completed a three-month training term with construction firm, E & E Seegmiller. He worked in the shop with Basil Kelleher.
"[Dustin was a] student that wanted to learn, he was a very positive kid, he showed a lot of potential, self motivated."
The flag at Huron Heights was lowered in his memory. Students and staff will gather at the school Thursday morning at 10 to celebrate Dustin's life.
