Candlelight Vigil For Hillsborough HS Grad Killed In Car Crash

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — The Hillsborough community continues to grieve the loss of recent Hillsborough High School graduate Jorge Gabriel Antonio. A Candlelight Vigil is being held on Thursday in his honor.

"We, unfortunately, had a tragic loss of life of a young man with everything to live for. His name was Jorge Antonio. Last Thursday he tragically died in a car accident not far from here," said Hillsborough Mayor Shawn Lipani at the start of the Tuesday Committee meeting. "He just graduated from Hillsborough High School last year and he was on his way to RVCC [Raritan Valley Community College] for school when he met an unfortunate end in a horrific car accident not far from here."

Antonio was one of five children, said Lipani.

Lipani asked the public for a moment of silence in light of Antonio's death.

"I ask that we keep his family and friends in our prayers to get through this difficult time," said Lipani.

Committeeman Robert Britting thanked Lipani for holding the moment of silence adding that "As a father of three boys, it cuts deep when you hear about the loss of life, a young life like that."

Multiple upcoming events are being held for Antonio:

• Thursday, Oct. 27 - Candlelight Prayer Vigil at Mary, Mother of God Church at 6 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 28 - Viewing at Mary, Mother of God Church from 3: to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 29 - Funeral Mass at Mary, Mother of God Church at 11 a.m.

All three events are open to the public at Mary, Mother of God Church at 157 S. Triangle Road in Hillsborough.

A live stream for Antonio's Funeral Mass can be viewed below:

There will be transportation from the church on school bus (Jorgito's favorite transportation as kid) to his final resting place in St. Bernard's Cemetery and back.

A Repast will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. in the gathering space Holy Spirit Hall at Mary Mother Of God.

Since his fatal accident, Antonio's family set up a GoFundMe to help raise funds for the funeral services and memorial.

"Any surplus collected will be donated to causes and charities that were dear to our Jorgitos heart. Such as local farmers, developing youths in engineering, and other causes that he loved," wrote Antonio's sister Angelica on the GoFundMe page. "We thank you all for all the well wishes in this trying time."

The fundraiser launched on Friday has raised more than $40,000. To donate click here.

On Oct. 20 at around 6:30 a.m., Antonio was killed in the crash that happened in the area of Marshall Road and Amwell Road. Read More: Fatal Multiple Car Crash In Hillsborough Under Investigation

The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office is currently investigating the crash.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.