Services Set For Millburn School Board Member And Family Lost In Florida Crash

MILLBURN, NJ —Services will be held this weekend and Monday for former Millburn Board of Education member Danielle Prieto, her husband Alfred, and her son Antonio, 16, who were killed in a highway crash last Saturday in Florida.

The school district announced the family's deaths last weekend, with Superintendent Christine Burton saying of Danielle, "She had a generous heart that was reflected through her volunteerism and her donations to the district."

The family has two older sons, one of whom is a senior at Millburn High School, reports have said.

An obituary posted on Tuesday night described the couple as advocates for everyone they knew:

"They were an amazing power couple who loved their family and would do anything in an instant
to be there for any of us," says the obituary. "Danielle was a power to be reckoned with. If you needed something done, in minutes she was on it with a solution. She would fight for you passionately. She was incredibly intelligent and a respected master in her field in finance. She was a pioneer and part of a small percentage of women who pushed their way into the male dominated field."

"And it took a very special man to live with Danielle," the obituary says of Alfred. "He was the shoulder you cried on ... He was a wonderful and loving father to his boys ... But above all, Al was a husband tailor made for Danielle. They truly were perfect for each other."

"[And] Antonio was the epitome of love, light, and believer of dreams and possibilities. He had the intensity and passion for gymnastics like his mother, and the incredible sensitive and emotional awareness of his father. He was gifted with both their extreme intelligence and drive to achieve and be the best at what he loved."

Relatives have set up a scholarship fund and gymnastics fund in the family's honor. The school district also said that the family would like money donated to austism awareness charities.

Alfred Prieto's company, Egon Zehnder, posted a tribute here:

https://www.egonzehnder.com/in-memoriam-al-prieto

Three Lives Lost

The Millburn School District had grief counselors in schools on Monday.

Danielle Prieto served out her term on the board until the end of 2021 and did not run for re-election.

The family was traveling on I-75 on Saturday night when a semi truck pulled in front of them, causing the crash, the Florida Highway Patrol said. All three were wearing seat belts. READ MORE: Former NJ School Board Member And Family Killed In Crash In Florida

Services Saturday, Sunday, And Monday

Services will be held Saturday, Jan. 15, from 2-6 p.m. and Sunday from 2-6 p.m. at Paul Ippolito Summit Memorial, 7 Summit Ave., Summit.

The funeral mass will be Monday at St. Rosa Lima Church, 50 Short Hills Ave., Short Hills, at 11 a.m., followed by entombment at WoodbridgeMemorial Gardens, Woodbridge, and a celebration of their lives at a location to be announced.