Vigil Set For Brick Memorial Student Killed In Crash

BRICK, NJ — A vigil has been planned for Wednesday evening at Brick Memorial High School as the community continues to reel from the crash Tuesday that took the life of Brick Memorial freshman.

The teen's name has not been released by authorities. A GoFundMe campaign launched to help his family with his funeral expenses identified him only by his first name.

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"Jackson was a thriving, outgoing, smart, 15-year-old boy," wrote Chrissie Arif, who created the campaign.

Social media has been filled with messages of condolences to the teen's family and friends, and the Brick Township School District has had grief counselors on site to assist students and staff in the wake of the boy's death.

Jackson was riding his bicycle to school on Tuesday morning and was crossing Lanes Mill Road at Rhode Island Avenue when he was hit by a BMW driven by a 17-year-old, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said Tuesday evening. He died at the scene.

The driver, who authorities said was speeding, did not stop and has been charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident. His name is not being released because he is a minor, the prosecutor's office said, and he is being held at the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center.

The vigil is set for 7 p.m. in the front parking lot at Brick Memorial High School, Brick Township police said in an email to Patch. Deputy Chief Henry Drew said the police department is working with Brick Township Schools officials, who supported having the vigil at the school where it will be safer to accommodate what is anticipated to be a very large gathering.

Brick police also sent out an alert urging people planning to attend the vigil to go to the high school instead of the originally listed spot on Lanes Mill Road, because of the safety concerns of the busy road.

Brick police said people should use the parking lots at the school and "for the safety of everyone involved, please do not park on the shoulder in front of the school."

Those wishing to donate to the GoFundMe can do so online.