Police said Tuesday that Cape Elizabeth High School junior Cole Amorello was driving illegally with a learner’s permit and may have consumed alcohol at a party before the crash that led to his death on Monday.
The 17-year-old was alone when the 2006 BMW sedan he was driving north on Old Ocean House Road failed to make a curve and crashed into some trees shortly after 5 a.m. Saturday, police said.
A car passes a makeshift memorial Tuesday at the site where Cole Amorello crashed early Saturday. Police say the Cape Elizabeth teenager was driving illegally with a learner’s permit and had likely been drinking before the crash.
Preliminary results of a police investigation indicate that speed, alcohol and driver inexperience contributed to the accident near Peabbles Cove Road, police Capt. Brent Sinclair said.
“We believe alcohol was a factor,” Sinclair said Tuesday. “We know there was a small gathering of young people not too far from the crash scene and there was alcohol at that gathering.”
Sinclair said it could be weeks before investigators get the results of a blood-alcohol test that would determine whether Amorello had been drinking Friday night or early Saturday morning.
Sinclair declined to say exactly where the party was held or whether any adults were there. He said it was too early to know if any charges might be filed as a result of the investigation.
Sinclair said driver inexperience also was a significant factor.
“Cole didn’t have a valid operating license and he had a valid learner’s permit,” Sinclair said. “So he shouldn’t have been driving that car without somebody who was at least 20 years old with him.”
Cole Amorello, who played Iago in “Othello” at Cape Elizabeth High School in May 2015, is shown in costume. Photo courtesy Richard Mullen
Amorello, who excelled in theater and at making friends laugh, died Monday at Maine Medical Center in Portland from injuries suffered in the crash.
Jeffrey Shedd, principal of Cape Elizabeth High School, sent several emails to the school community on Monday, informing parents, students and staff members of Amorello’s passing. “Please keep Cole, his mom, Sandi, and his older siblings, Olivia and Holden, in your thoughts and prayers,” Shedd asked.
Shedd said counselors would be at the high school Tuesday to help students cope. Juniors were scheduled to take the SAT on Tuesday, but they could opt to take a makeup exam later this month instead, he said.
Shedd suggested that parents of students who need help may call Art of Awareness in South Portland (799-1331) or the Center for Grieving Children in Portland (775-5216).
St. Alban’s Episcopal Church opened its doors Monday night for students who needed a place to gather.
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