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16-Year-Old Killed In ATV Crash In Latrobe

LATROBE (KDKA) -- An Elizabeth Township teen died Friday night after an ATV crash in Latrobe.

It happened at Latrobe Speedway Motorsports on Pleasant Unity Road.

According to a post on the company's website, 16-year-old Andrew "Andy" Kraemer died while racing an all-terrain-vehicle.

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Kraemer was participating in a motorcross race when he hit a large tractor tire, after being ejected from his Yamaha quad runner as it went over a jump in the track.

Andrew's father spoke with KDKA about the moment that changed their family forever.

"It was quite obvious the wounds were serious and probably fatal. Lisa and I were, without getting in the way of the first responders, knelt at his side, and told him we loved him and told him it was going to be okay, and unfortunately he didn't make it," said his father, also named Andrew Kraemer.

Kraemer developed his love for quad racing from his best friend -- his dad. And, according to his family, he was good at it. He was also a remarkable young person.

"Very considerate.  Thoughtful of others, do anything to help anyone else. He was my best friend.  He was my constant companion," his father said. "I miss him so much, I would do anything to have one more conversation with him."

"I always said to him when he went out for the practice run, 'safe and sound, do what you're comfortable with but come back here safe and sound. And remember, I love you'," his mother Lisa Kraemer said.

Latrobe Speedway Motorsports posted a message Saturday, reading:

At our race last night we lost a very courageous Young Quad rider, Our extreme condolences goes out to the Andrew Kraemer Family. Andrew raced in Quad B class. Please keep his family in your prayers as they go through this very sad process. This has been a very difficult 24 hrs for everyone that was at the track and for many of us it will take some time. This is a very tough year so far for the sport we all love so much.

An obituary for the teen states that died tragically "while doing what he loved." Kraemer was a student at Elizabeth Forward High School who had dreams of becoming a pharmacist.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the Kraemer family with funeral expenses and to hopefully set up a college scholarship in Andrew's name.

"I think he would be pleased if we could have the opportunity in his name to help others. And its all about helping other people.  He would always do for others.  he would do without himself to help others," Andrew Kraemer said.

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