Donora boy drowns in Monongahela River
A search and rescue mission in Donora ended in sorrow Saturday with the discovery of a 12-year-old boy’s body on the bed of the Monongahela River.
The Washington County Coroner’s Office identified the boy as Rontae Lester of Donora.
According to the coroner’s report, Lester was swimming with friends Saturday morning when he disappeared. One of the friends alerted authorities around 10:50 a.m., sparking an operation involving more than a dozen local police departments, fire companies, emergency medical services and dive teams.
Crews found Lester just before 3:30 p.m.
Darrick Gerano, director of Murrysville Medic One, told TribLive news partner WTAE that the boy was found nearly 50 yards downstream in seven feet of water. Gerano, who heads the organization’s dive team, said the current was faster than normal and divers had to stuff rocks in their pockets to weigh themselves down.
Ringgold School District, where Lester was a student, will offer grief counseling starting Monday.
“Our thoughts are with the student’s family, friends and all who knew and cared for the student,” the district said in a statement. “We recognize that this news may be difficult to process and may bring up a wide range of emotions for students, staff and families.”
Donora police are investigating.
Jack Troy is a TribLive reporter covering the Freeport Area and Kiski Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on Penn Hills municipal affairs. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in January 2024 after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh. He can be reached at jtroy@triblive.com.
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