High School Senior From New Jersey Dies In Tractor-Trailer Crash

A high school senior from New Jersey was killed this weekend in a crash involving a tractor trailer, police said.

Tyler Brown, 17, was in the front passenger seat of a pickup truck when it collided with a tractor trailer around 11:30 p.m. Friday in Middletown, Del., according to Delaware State Police. He was taken to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

The Woolwich Township native attended Salesianum School, a Catholic high school in Wilmington which honored him Saturday during a special mass at the school, and also on the school's website.

Chris Beretta, the principal, wrote:

"I write this morning with terrible news, news many of you may have already heard. Last night, Salesianum seniors Tyler Brown and John Kirsch, and Padua senior Kelly Muschiatti, were involved in a serious car accident. John, who was driving, survived the crash with minor injuries. Kelly was seriously injured and is in critical condition, and is recovering from emergency surgery. Tragically, Tyler did not survive. Having lost one of our brothers, we must come together as never before."

John Kirsch, 18, a senior at Salesianum, was driving the 2005 Dodge Dakota when it collided with the vehicle crashed with a truck, police said

Kirsch, a Middletown, Del., was listed in serious condition following the crash, according to Delaware State Police.

The Dodge Dakota pulled directly into the path of the tractor trailer where the front struck the right passenger side of the Dakota in the intersection, police said.

The tractor trailer overturned from the force of the collision, police said.

Kelly Muschiatti, 17, a senior at Padua Academy in Wilmington, Del., was a passenger in the back seat during the accident. She remains in serious condition, according to Beretta.

The tractor trailer driver, Julio Gallegos, 52, of New Jersey, and his passenger, Carolina Garcia, 30, were also injured and taken to ahospital, police said.

Brown was an athlete and an artist, according to Delawareonline.com, and was planning to go to Syracuse University in the fall to study architectural design. He played rugby, lacrosse, wrestled and was part of the Model United Nations at Salesianum.

The school's chapel will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday for remembrances of Brown and his artwork will be on display, said Beretta.

"Let us all pray for Tyler's soul as we entrust him to our loving and merciful God, and for his mom and dad at this time of unimaginable grief."

More of the tribute can be found here.