21-year old teacher dead in car accident

Staff report

CANFIELD

A 21-year old preschool teacher died in a single-vehicle accident early Monday in the township.

Stephanie Bucci of Boardman was pronounced dead at the scene off U.S. Route 62 (Shields Road) near Argus Park. According to a news release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, she was driving eastbound on U.S. 62 between state Routes 46 and 11 when she went left of center, going off the north side of the roadway and striking a light post, a tree and sign.

After the vehicle struck a sign, it rolled over onto its roof. State troopers were called about 6:25 a.m. Monday and were assisted by the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office and the Cardinal Joint Fire District.

Officials at Boardman United Methodist Church, where Bucci was a teacher for its preschool programming, declined to comment Monday.

She graduated from Cardinal Mooney High School in 2012 and was a student at Youngstown State University.

“She was a great student, just very willing to help anyone,” said Mark Vollmer, Cardinal Mooney principal. “She embodied everything a Mooney student should have been.”

He further said he had not heard of a memorial or gathering to remember Bucci as of Monday afternoon. “As of now, we’re trying to let the family have space and the time they need ... trying to make sure they’re all in our prayers,” Vollmer said.

Bucci was the granddaughter of Don Bucci, longtime Cardinal Mooney High School football coach and current athletic director. Don’s wife and Stephanie’s grandmother, Rosemarie Bucci, died in June.