A 20-year-old Pennsylvania National Guard member died over the weekend in a training accident, military officials confirmed.
Specialist Mackenzie Shay, of New Castle, died Oct. 22 in a crash involving two military vehicles at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County.
Three other soldiers involved in the accident were treated for their injuries at Hershey Medical Center and have since been released.
Speaking to The Post briefly Tuesday morning, her mother, Tina Lee Shay, said she “can’t even begin” to describe how the family is feeling.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Specialist Mackenzie Shay’s family, friends and colleagues after this tragic accident,” Army Maj. Gen. Mark J. Schindler said in a statement.
National Guard servicewoman Mackenzie Shay was killed in a training accident on Oct. 22. vsco.co/mmackenzieshay
“Our priority right now is taking care of the family and soldiers, ensuring they have all the resources they need during this critical time.”
The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
Shay was a 92F Army petroleum supply specialist assigned to the 28th Infantry Division’s Company G, 128th Brigade Support Battalion.
She graduated from Mohawk High School in 2020 and was a student at Slippery Rock University, New Castle News reported Monday.
“It broke my heart to hear this,” David Bredl, Shay’s former high school cross-country and track coach, told the local newspaper. “[Mackenzie] was a really smart girl. She was a little feisty and fiery, and always tried to do her best and make her mark. I thoroughly enjoyed working with her.”
Shay started talking about joining the military in her junior year, Bredl said. She had a job lined up in Colorado for after college, and loved being in the National Guard, Pittsburgh’s Action 4 News reported.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf ordered all state and US flags, including those at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, to fly at half-staff in Shay’s honor.
The flags will remain lowered until the date of internment, which has not yet been announced.
