FALMOUTH, MA — Two Falmouth High School star athletes were killed in a crash as they drove home from hockey practice Thursday night. James Lavin and Owen Higgins were both 17 years old.

The crash happened at about 6:45 p.m. on Thomas Landers Road near Geggatt Road. Lavin was driving a dark-color sedan with Higgins in the passenger seat when he veered off the side of the road and slammed through a row of trees. Lavin was pronounced dead at the scene. Higgins was airlifted to a local hospital. On Friday night, police announced Higgins succumbed to his injuries. "It was a very tragic incident," Falmouth police Chief Edward Dunne said Friday during a news conference. "It's affected the whole community."



Dunne said investigators are still trying to determine why the vehicle left the road. Photos from the scene showed Lavin's car wrapped around a tree. Dozens of high schools from Cape Cod and beyond offered condolences upon learning of the boys' passing. Lavin and Higgins played football and in December they led Falmouth High School to a state title. Lavin played offensive guard and defense end; Higgins played defensive tackle and tight end.



"He was a very fun-loving, smart, caring, and funny young man," Lavin's obituary reads. "His aspirations were to continue playing football and have a career in business."

Falmouth High School was scheduled to be closed Friday for winter recess but school officials opened it and had grief counselors available for students.

"We know that this unfortunate event affects the entire community," Superintendent Nancy Taylor said in a statement Friday. "The most important thing we can do for our children is be supportive."

Visiting hours for Lavin will be held Monday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Chapman Cole & Gleason Funeral Home in Falmouth. The funeral is Tuesday at St. Patrick Church in Falmouth and the burial will be held at St. Anthony's Cemetery.