Police: Teens riding forklifts for fun crash; teen killed

WISSINOMING (WPVI) -- Police say a teenager was killed after he and his friends entered a business and started riding forklifts for fun.

The incident happened around 9:20 p.m. Sunday at the Newman Paper Company in the 5100 block of Comly Street.

The family of 13-year-old Ethan Shoemaker is grieving. He was one of several 12 to 14-year-olds who entered the building. Inside they started driving forklifts and there was a collision.

A teen who was there but did not want to be identified described the crash.

The witness said, "Ethan stopped, and the girl, she swerved. And the forklift, it got pointy things on it so it tipped over, and he was trying to get out and was hit and everything was smushed."

Ethan Shoemaker was pronounced dead at the scene.

His family believes the property owned by the Newman Paper Company should have been better secured to resist curious teens.

Robert Grogan is Ethan's uncle. He says, "Kids are going to be kids. It should have been a little more secured... better security. It's a multi-million dollar company."

Newman Paper issued a brief statement saying: "We are saddened by the loss of the young man's life and offer our condolences to the family."

Ethan was described by his aunt, Jennifer Shoemaker, as curious, fearless and loyal.

There is an ongoing investigation by detectives into the death. It's not clear if anyone could be charged or if this will be ruled an accident.