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Freehold students dealing with their sudden loss

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Anthony Johnson
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By Anthony Johnson

(Freehold - WABC, January 11, 2007) (WABC) -- Grief counselors were at Freehold Borough High school today to help students and staff deal with the sudden loss of three students.

Eyewitness News reporter Anthony Johnson was at the school as the students were let out of school Thursday. "We have lost three of our students and there's no measure for that," said Linda Jewell, the principal of the school..

The three teenagers were among four people killed when two vehicles collided Wednesday, just one mile from their school. A fifth person, a young boy, was also seriously injured.

The husband of 68 year old Ruth Macarthur of Laurence Harbor, who was in the second car, spoke to Eyewitness News. "I told her to be careful on the road hun, I want to see you come home. Well she didn't come," said Robert Macarthur.

Classmates at Freehold Borough High were heartbroken. Three of their friends, gone in a fiery crash. A memorial took place at the scene of the accident when school ended Thursday.

Diana Haung, Student: "They were fun to hang around. They were, like everybody just talked to them, it was all jokes and fun."

The crash on Kozloski road came just after school let out.

17-year-old Michael Dragonetti , captain of the school football team, was driving a Cadillac CTS.

17-year-old James Warnock, was beside him in the front passenger seat.

Junior, Andrew Lundy, was in the back seat.

Investigators say Dragonetti may have been driving too fast. "I don't think that these kids really understand that when they get behind the wheel of that car it's not an automobile it's potentially a deadly weapon," said Dr. James Wasser schools superintendent. He reportedly got his license two months ago.

Luis Valentin, Monmouth County Prosecutor: "Right now it appears that speed was a factor. That is being investigated at this time." Eyewitness News has learned of the possiblility that authroirite could be looking for a third car involved in the accident

The Cadillac hit a Dodge Caravan, a school transport van. Moments later, both vehicles went up in flames.

The only survivor of the crash, a 13-year-old boy riding in the van. He's hospitalized this morning with serious injuries.

Linda Jewell, Principal: "One life, two lives, three lives...what do you say? These were kids who were at the peak of their lives and it's over."

Ilse Whisner, a spokeswoman for the school district, said that it had never before suffered such a loss, but that classes would still be held today. However, grief counselors will be on hand if students feel that they need to talk.

The van driver, Ruth Macarthur, was a retired nurse. She drove the van to stay active, and her regular passengers were several handicapped children.

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