1 Teen Killed And 4 Others Hospitalized After Fatal Car Wreck
February 16, 2006
By April Sanax
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - One teen is dead, and four others are hospitalized after a deadly wreck on the Jersey turnpike
The Newark Police Station says the young man killed, Darnell Perez 18, was cutting corners just a little too fast. As paramedics arrived, he was pronounced dead at the scene
Witnesses say the driver was going at least 70 miles an hour on the Newark road and passing other cars
When the driver tried to pass on a corner, he slammed head on into a pick up truck. The man driving the truck was airlifted to the nearest hospital. A woman driving a white car was also hit and rushed to the hospital in serious condition
But the teen in the car got it the worst
Investigators say the young man was on his way to visit a friend at a nearby house
Even veteran police officers were astonished by the wreck
"I was just talking to a very experienced a sergeant who was one of the first cars on the scene. He says it's one of the worst accidents he's seen," said Urquhart
Joel Carraskuillo, 22, came up on the wreckage just moments after it happened. He immediately spotted the fatalities - a site he says will change him forever
Students started streaming to Malcolm X Shabazz High School to comfort each other as soon as they got the news. Late this afternoon, hundreds gathered at Christ Community Church to remember Perez. Students and teachers took turns talking about the young man. Reports say one young man, Tarrel Guterez 19, stood up there in shock, staring across the room, trying to get the words out "Its like it's not real, I'm not even crying, it's like I cant" He later told reporters Darnell Perez, also know as DJ, was family, and will be truly missed but never forgotten, he didn't wish to comment any further then that. Perez is survived through his mother, Latrice Perez 41, and his son Zamarree Perez, just 3 weeks old, the mother of Perez's little boy, refused comment
FINAL VICTIM OF JERSEY TURNPIKE CRASH LAID TO REST
Story by Shauna Parsons
The final victim of Jersey Turnpike crash, laid to rest in Crest Heaven Cemetery
It's the second funeral in as many days, linked to this tragedy. So much has happened in the interim, it's hard to believe only one week has passed. Today?s funeral procession for Darnell Perez, 18 of Essex county, New Jersey
It brings to an end a busy and mournful week, that began with the deadly car wreck off the Jersey Turnpike last Thursday morning
The news was greeted with a stunned disbelief at Malcolm X Shabazz High School. The decision was made to let the graduation events go on as planned. School officials- consulting with surviving family members--decided Perez would have wanted it that way
So mass was held Thursday morning at Christ Community Church in Newark. At a time of heavy emotion, a balance was struck between remembering the dead, and paying tribute to his accomplishments, as well as those of the living
His high school principal said the graduation services will give comfort to all
With graduation only months away, the life of Darnell Perez was remembered at a service at Christ Community Church Thursday morning
Many students, teachers, and family members took their turns expressing their feelings towards the death of the young Perez. His mother, Latrice Perez 41, stood up there stronger then expected, not mourning but trying to remember the life he had led for 18 years. On another note Perez?s best friend, Tarrel Guterez 19, stood up there, appearing to stay strong but quickly broke down. His words touched almost everyone, as gasps of tears and smiles filled the room
?Darnell?s body may be gone, but me and everyone else in this room knows, that his soul will forever live on within each and every one of us, he wouldn?t want us to mourn his death, but celebrate his life and his many accomplishments. His spirit will travel within the walls of school, and his strength is what will keep us all here. We miss you baby boy, watch over us and keep us safe, we love you, and rest in peace?
Over 1500 hundred student, teachers, and family members arrived to lay Perez to rest, as you can see, the young man touched many lives in his journey on earth.