Standout wrestler, 18, dies in crash
A recent Oley Valley High School graduate and star wrestler was identified as the person killed in a two-vehicle crash early Saturday, Sept. 12, on Route 662 at Bertolet Mill Road, the Berks County coroner’s office said.
Travis M. Lambert, 18, was pronounced dead at 3 a.m. by Deputy Coroner Robert Bickham, acting Coroner Jonn M. Hollenbach said Sunday, Sept. 13.
The cause of death was multiple injuries and the death was ruled accidental, Hollenbach said.
The collision occurred shortly before 2 a.m. A passenger in Lambert’s vehicle and the other driver suffered injuries and were transported to area hospitals, the coroner said.
Central Berks Regional police said Sept. 15 that they’re continuing to reconstruct the fatal head-on crash.
“Travis was well liked with many friends, a great personality with a bright future ahead of him,” said Dr. Tracy Shank, superintendent of the Oley Valley School District. “He was an out
standing wrestler and team leader. He will be greatly missed.”
A 2020 Oley graduate, Lambert was an all-Berks wrestler who recorded more than 100 wins in his career. As a senior, he finished second in the Berks and District 3 3A Section 1 tournaments.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time,” Shank said.
Police provided this account: A pickup truck driven by Justin Bucher, 27, of Douglassville was northbound on Route 662, also known as Memorial Highway, when it collided near Bertolet Mill Road with a southbound car driven by Travis M. Lambert, 18.
Lambert was pronounced dead at 3 a.m. by Berks County Deputy Coroner Robert Bickham.
The cause of death was multiple injuries and the death was ruled accidental, acting Coroner Jonn M. Hollenbach said.
Bucher and a passenger in Lambert’s vehicle, Trent
Heflin, 18, of Oley Township, were taken by ambulance to Reading Hospital. Both were released after receiving treatment, officials said.
Central Berks police, who patrol Oley Township, said they’ll release more information when the investigation is complete.