Penn State junior Anthony Cicerchia died in a fatal car accident early Saturday when he lost control of his Jeep and ran into a tree off Route 93, Columbia State police said.

Friend Tyler Bloom (sophomore-turf grass science) said Cicerchia, better known as Tony, left Penn State Friday night to attend a party at his former fraternity, Acacia, at Bloomsburg University. Cicerchia previously attended Bloomsburg University and a community college in Arizona before being accepted to Penn State this semester.

Bloom said Cicerchia was on his way home to Berwick at about 1 a.m. after the party when his Jeep hit a tree.

Lori Masteller, Columbia County coroner, said Cicerchia was ejected from the vehicle and died instantly.

Masteller said the police are still investigating the accident.

Bloom said Cicerchia was an avid Penn State fan. During the viewing, his family was wearing Penn State gear Cicerchia had given them for Christmas presents, he said.

"When he got [accepted to Penn State] he called me and said 'JoePa is recruiting me, I'm starting next year.' I knew it was joke, but he was so excited to come here," Bloom said. "I never saw him talk with so much enthusiasm about school."

Bloom said Cicerchia, a journalism major concentrating on sports broadcasting, wanted to attend Penn State because of the focus on sports.

Cicerchia, who was a Dallas Cowboys fan, was dressed in a Tony Romo jersey from his family during his viewing, he added.

Bloom said Cicerchia's funeral was held in the biggest church in Berwick on Tuesday and so many people attended that there was barely room to stand.

"One thing that makes it more amazing is that the priest was crying at the end of the service. [Tony] had that effect," he said. "When you can say you made a priest cry, that's pretty amazing."

Bloom said Cicerchia was very religious, family-oriented and always looking to have a good time.

He added that Cicerchia's death hit hard after spending last weekend with Cicerchia's family.

"I wouldn't say I was his best friend because he had so many friends," Bloom said.

He added that he and other friends of Cicerchia's are organizing a memorial service.

"Saturday we will have a small service for everybody going through these tough times right now," Bloom said. "It's not just the people that were the victims, it's everybody that's involved. Everybody needs that support."

Bloom said a location for the ceremony has not been confirmed, but they are hoping to have it on the HUB-Robeson Center lawn.

Jill Shockey, Penn State spokesperson, said Cicerchia's death added to Penn State's "series of unfortunate coincidences."

"I don't think that this is anything radically alarming, although it is unfortunate and no one wants to see these kind of tragedies happening whether they're on campus, off campus or out of town," she said.

Cicerchia is survived by his mother and father, Maureen and Tyler, as well as his sisters, Gena and Gabriella, and his brother, Mike.