High school wrestler dies in high-speed accident

JUNEAU (AP) -- A high school wrestler was killed in an auto accident in Juneau early Saturday, according to city police.

Brandon Pilot, 16, was speeding early Saturday morning when he lost control of his pickup truck and it rolled over, trapping him, police said. The accident occurred shortly before 1 a.m. on Eaglecrest Road and North Douglas Highway. The truck left the pavement and went into a ditch, struck a culvert and flipped.

Pilot was not wearing a seat belt. An autopsy was planned to determine whether drugs or alcohol were factors.

Pilot finished in fifth place at 152 pounds last week at the Anchorage Christian Schools Invitational tournament, which is considered a state tournament preview.

''He has wrestled for me for three years. He was a great young athlete just starting to come into himself as a great athlete and a great person. The team is going to miss him very much,'' said Bob Mahon, Juneau-Douglas High School's wrestling coach.