Family and friends are mourning the loss of a teenager who lost control of his SUV on Route 121 near Clarke Lane in Orange Thursday.

Police say DJ Art, who was driving the SUV, lost control of his vehicle as he rounded the curve on Route 121 around 1:15 a.m. They say the vehicle went into a powerful spin, throwing Art out the back window. He hit the roadway and died instantly from severe head injuries.

Art was a student at Platt Tech High School and would have started his senior year in the fall. The school was opened Thursday so students could gather in an uplifting place.

Principal Gene LaPorta, who met with students in mourning, said students at Platt Tech are a close-knit group. He also said Art was studying to become a plumber.

?He was good. He was a really skilled kid, real talented kid. Had a great future in front of him,? LaPorta said.

Police are investigating the accident.