Bryson Xavier Cantrell, of Lancaster, was driving west on Old Philadelphia Pike in Bird-in-Hand when the two-vehicle crash happened around 7:01 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, East Lampeter Township police announced on Monday, Oct. 5.
Cantrell was traveling through the 2600 block when an eastbound vehicle driven by 18-year-old Josue Sumba-Campoverde, of Harrisburg, attempted to turn left into a private driveway on the north side of Old Philadelphia Pike, according to the preliminary investigation.
The vehicles collided in the westbound lane, police said.
Cantrell died at the scene from his injuries. Neither vehicle had any passengers.
Sumba-Campoverde was found to have a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer, police said. He was taken into custody and turned over to ICE.
No criminal charges related to the crash were announced by police.
Cantrell was a 2024 graduate of J.P. McCaskey High School, where he played football before becoming an accomplished wrestler and qualifying for the state championships during his senior year at 189 pounds, according to his obituary published by The Groffs Family Funeral and Cremation Services Inc.
Born in Blue Ridge, Georgia, Cantrell moved to Lancaster in 2019 and “made friends very easily,” his obituary states.
After high school, his passion turned to cars — particularly building and repairing Hondas. He enjoyed drag racing at Maple Grove Raceway and Cecil County Dragway and worked as an HVAC technician for Haller Enterprises, according to the funeral home.
But his family said nothing mattered more to him than his newborn daughter, Ahmnory Ramos-Cantrell.
His companion and Ahmnory's mother, Nana Ramos, described the ordinary family night they shared before Cantrell left for work — playing Fortnite, watching his favorite show, and spending time with their baby.
“You said ‘give daddy some love before he sleeps’ to her, held her in your arms and kissed me goodnight,” Ramos wrote in an emotional tribute.
She said she had expected Cantrell to come home that day, when she planned to make the baked bacon macaroni and cheese he had requested while the couple decided what to do that weekend to celebrate their daughter's third month.
Instead, Ramos found herself calling his phone, sending him messages, and checking his location, hoping somehow he would return home.
She remembered Cantrell as a devoted father and partner who fixed her car in the rain and darkness, surprised her with flowers and breakfast, supported her through emergency surgery after their daughter's birth, and consistently put his family first.
“Thank you for your amazing love,” she wrote. “Thank you for the roof over our heads.”
Ramos also remembered his love of cars, saying Cantrell had nearly gathered everything he needed to finish a project car that now sits untouched at their home.
She called him her “Paul Walker” and her soulmate.
“I miss you babe, I miss you so much,” Ramos wrote. “I LOVED YOU MORE Bryson Cantrell.”
His mother, Lacey Paskiet, has launched a GoFundMe to help provide for Ahmnory.
“This fund will help support his baby and any financial burdens that may arise along the way,” Paskiet wrote.
The fundraiser had collected more than $1,500 from 21 donors toward its $8,000 goal as of Monday.
Cantrell is also survived by his parents, grandparents, and nine siblings, according to his obituary.
Family and friends are invited to a memorial gathering at The Groffs Family Funeral and Cremation Services Inc., 528 West Orange St., Lancaster, on Wednesday, Oct. 7. A viewing will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., followed by a time of sharing at 6 p.m.
The family also plans to hold a memorial car show at a later date, according to the funeral home.
The crash remains under investigation.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or has information is asked to contact East Lampeter Township police at 717-291-4676.
Click here to donate to the GoFundMe.
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