Fatal Accident

[admin]

This has not hit the site, but should have. This is a terrible tragedy

www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080228/NEWS/80228075

Second boy dies in connection with Freehold Township accident


FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — A 12-year-old Freehold Township boy who was on life support after being
struck by a car Wednesday night died of his injuries this afternoon, the police and the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said today.

Graeme Preston had been listed in extremely critical condition at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune since he and another boy, Kevin Clawson, 13, were struck by a minivan while skateboarding on Bar Harbor Road at about 6 p.m. Wednesday. Clawson was pronounced dead at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold shortly after the accident.

Police have concluded that it was a combination of the boys' skateboarding in the roadway and wearing dark clothing that led to the accident.

No charges are expected to be filed against the driver of the minivan that hit them,
Frederick C. Eckhardt, 84, of Freehold, the police said.

[admin]

The first article.......

www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080228/NEWS/80228012/1285/LOCAL09

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — A 12-year-old township boy clings to life this morning at Jersey Shore University Medical Center after he and a 13-year-old friend were struck by a minivan while skateboarding on Bar Harbor Road Wednesday night. The 13-year-old died, the police said.

Traffic officers are still investigating the 6 p.m. crash, but thus far nothing has been
found that would warrant criminal or traffic charges, said Lt. Dean Smith, who commands the township's traffic bureau.

"We have no evidence that speed or alcohol was a factor," Smith said.

The boys were skateboarding and walking on the roadway when they were struck by the minivan driven by Frederick C. Eckhardt, 84, of Freehold, the police said.

The 13-year-old was taken to CentraState Medical Center in Freehold Township, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

The 12-year-old was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Freehold by Northstar, the State Police medical evacuation helicopter. He remains on life support there, the police said.

Investigators believe a combination of dark clothing and the boys walking and skating in the roadway contributed to the accident, Smith said.

The names of the boys were not immediately available.

Matt Pais: [phone] or [e-mail]

[admin]

I always find it incredibly heart breaking when children die. It is among the saddest things to hear about. I always feel for the parents. I may not be a parent, but I can imagine the loss of a child has got to be something that a person never gets over.