3 Spotsylvania High School seniors tragically killed in crash on Lewiston Road

3 high school seniors killed in Spotsylvania County crash

Three seniors at Spotsylvania High School were killed in a crash overnight. Police believe speed may have been a factor. One of the victims has been identified.

SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. - Three Spotsylvania High School seniors were tragically killed in a crash late Friday night in Spotsylvania County, according to the sheriff’s office.

What we know:

Deputies say the crash happened around 11:46 p.m. on March 27 in the 5300 block of Lewiston Road.

When first responders arrived, they found a single vehicle with three occupants. All three were pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators say a 2002 Mercedes coupe left the right side of the roadway and struck a tree.

Authorities believe speed may have been a contributing factor in the crash.

Nick Derby, on left, with son Kyle Derby, on right. Kyle Derby was one of three Spotsylvania High School students killed in a crash on March 27, 2026. (Credit: Derby family)

The victims, ages 18, 17 and 17, were all seniors at Spotsylvania High School and were expected to graduate in the coming months.

On Saturday, one of the three victims was identified as 17-year-old Kyle Derby. Derby's family told FOX 5 that he was the driver, and the other two in the car were his childhood best friends. 

The backstory:

In a message to families, Spotsylvania High School said the community is "deeply saddened to learn of the deaths of three of our seniors."

School leaders encouraged parents to check in with their children, noting that students may respond to grief in different ways, including appearing unaffected, asking repeated questions, becoming withdrawn, or showing changes in sleep or eating.

"The best thing that you can do is listen to your child and let them lead the discussion," the school said.

The school district said additional counseling staff will be available when students return on April 6.

"Our thoughts are with the families and we are respecting their privacy during this very difficult time," the message said.

The Spotsylvania County government also issued a statement on Saturday, saying that they were "sending our deepest condolences to families and friends of the three Spotsylvania High School seniors who tragically lost their lives last night in a single vehicle crash in the county. Our hearts go out to the entire Knifht family during this difficult time of intense grief, loss and heartache."

What we don't know:

Officials have not released the names of the victims.

The crash remains under investigation by the sheriff’s office Crash Reconstruction Unit.