November 14, 2021

Sean Hughes, Lower Merion High School principal, killed in car crash

The 51-year-old was traveling with his son on a soccer game in New Jersey when his SUV collided with a another vehicle in Camden County

By Maggie Mancini
PhillyVoice Staff

Courtesy/Lower Merion School District

Lower Merion High School principal Sean Hughes was killed in a crash in Winslow Township, New Jersey, on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2021. Sean Hughes had been principal at Lower Merion for 14 years.

Lower Merion High School principal Sean Hughes died in a car crash Saturday morning while driving his son to a soccer game in South Jersey. His son, Nolan, suffered non-life threatening injuries, and is expected to fully recover. Hughes is survived by his wife, Kristi, and their three children, Jack, Nolan, and Kate.

Hughes, 51, from Harleysville, Montgomery County, was principal at Lower Merion for 14 years and a beloved figure in the community. He was also the principal of the Central Athletic League. Current and former students, faculty, and staff of the high school came out to offer condolences to Hughes' family and share their memories about him afters news about the fatal crash began to circulate online.

"Mr. Hughes was beloved by thousands of students who passed through the halls of Lower Merion over the years. He knew most of them by name and always had time to listen to their concerns, cheer them on and support their accomplishments," Superintendent Khalid Mumin said Saturday afternoon. "They greeted him in the halls by calling out his signature nickname, 'Huuuuuuughes.' He welcomed each one at 9th grade orientation and proudly handed out diplomas at their graduations."

The fatal crash occurred just before 7:30 a.m. Saturday when the Ford SUV Hughes and his son were traveling in collided with a Mercedes SUV at the intersection of Fleming Pike and Hay Road in Winslow Township, Camden County, NJ.com reported.

Lower Merion basketball team, the Aces, posted a statement on Twitter on Saturday regarding Hughes' passing, and honoring his legacy as an educator and athletic director.

Devastated 🖤♠️ pic.twitter.com/Nuh80sRF3n
— Aces Basketball (@aceshoops) November 14, 2021

A makeshift memorial was put together outside of the school, with candles, letters, flowers, jerseys, and helmets, KYW reported. Mumin and students at Lower Merion specifically mention Hughes' signature message – "character counts" in their memories of him.

"Your type of character might be developed there," Lower Merion alum Dan Wilson told KYW. "Whatever hand he could play in making sure you had a pure character, and that you would go on to represent Lower Merion well, was something he took very seriously."

Mumin said that other administrators will work with Lower Merion's assistant principal to support students in the coming weeks.

Mumin said that all 10 Lower Merion schools will be closed on Monday, Nov. 15 in response to Hughes' death. The COVID-19 vaccine clinic, which was originally scheduled at Lower Merion High School on Monday, has been postponed.