The Carbon County coroner has identified the three people killed in the Christmas Eve crash in Penn Forest.

Coroner Robert Miller said Connor Dugan, 17, was the driver of the one vehicle.

He said the driver of the second vehicle was Joshua Dean, 30, and Daejah Dean, 3, who he believed to be his daughter. No locations were provided, but Miller thought Dean lived in the Poconos.

Autopsies were conducted at Lehigh Valley Cedar Crest, Allentown.

The crash was reported near the Lehighton Ambulance building on Route 903 at 7:27 p.m.

Heather Meckes, the aunt of Connor Matthew Dugan, has created a funeral fund for him. As of Tuesday evening, $16,851 was raised.

“On Christmas Eve our family’s life was changed forever,” she wrote. Meckes said Connor was going home when he was killed in the crash. He was 17 and a senior at Jim Thorpe Area High School.

“We are shocked and beyond heartbroken,” she said.

His parents are “devastated,” Meckes said.

Donations to help defray costs for funeral and burial expenses are appreciated.

“Thank you in advance for your support during this most difficult time,” the post reads.

Jim Thorpe Area School District was offering grief counseling from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today and will offer counseling on Monday when the school is back in session.

“Our thoughts and prayers with the families,” Superintendent John Rushefski said.

High School Principal Thomas Lesisko said, “Connor was a quiet, gentle, and humble student. As an underclassman, he worried about getting into the college of his choice and worked hard for good grades.

“Last Wednesday, I saw him at lunch talking to a group of friends and he had a big smile on his face. I could see his growing confidence and that he was enjoying his senior year in high school. His passing is a great loss to the Class of 2022, JTAHS, and the Jim Thorpe community,” Lesisko added.

According to his obituary, Connor “was known to help anybody, whenever needed.

“Connor had loved everyone. He loved playing basketball with friends, driving his four-wheeler, making music, and spending time with his family.”

Friend Kendra Loughlin posted, "Thank you for being such a beautiful soul. Everyday I wake up choosing to believe that god has a purpose for us all. Especially in times like these.

In which I could never thank him enough for gifting me the opportunity to cross paths with such a wholesome, courageous, sweet, loving boy. Soon to be called my best friend.. If only you truly knew how much you’ve touched my heart in the span of only a few months, you’d understand how special of a boy you really are. The smiles you would spread everyday walking in and out of school, and in and out your home only help validate to the point of how much of a blessing you truly were to us all.."

Jim Thorpe HIgh School Girls Basketball posted, "We are saddened by the loss of our friend and classmate, senior Connor Dugan. Connor passed away in a tragic car accident on Christmas Eve. We would like to send our thoughts and prayers to his family at this difficult time. We will miss you and remember you always, Connor."

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Thursday at Edward F. Melber Funeral Home, 524 Center St., Jim Thorpe with the Rev. John P. Hassler officiating.

Calling hours are 6-8 p.m., Wednesday and 10-11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Interment will follow the service in Christ Memorial Park Cemetery, Penn Forest.

A GoFundMe has been set up for Daejah by Gavrielle Mele for funeral expenses. So far, 205 people have donated $14,700 of the $15,000 goal. The post says Daejah and Joshua, her father, died in the crash. The post says she would have had a birthday Friday.

“Families and friends of all are devastated. If you are able to, please consider donating to help with any funeral expenses they will be facing in this difficult time. Thank you.”

Funeral services for Joshua and Daejah Dean were not immediately available.

State police at Fern Ridge said no new information is available about the crash.