BRICK – Brick Memorial High School is mourning the loss of one of their own after a road accident on August 19 claimed the life of Drew Aponte, a sophomore at the school.
Brick Police reported that 15-year-old Aponte was riding his bicycle on Burnt Tavern Road and crossing Route 70 around 10:45 p.m. when the accident occurred. A Subaru Forrester being driven by Kathleen Calabro of Toms River was traveling west on Route 70 toward Burnt Tavern Road and struck Aponte on his bike as he entered the highway. He was thrown onto the car’s windshield and then to the ground, sustaining fatal injuries.
Brick Police Officers, Emergency Medical Services and MONOC Paramedics arrived and treated Aponte at the scene, but were unable to revive him.
The intersection of Route 70 and Burnt Tavern Road was closed for several hours during the investigation and reopened for regular traffic at 1:08 a.m. the next day.
In a statement issued by Brick Memorial High School, counseling services were offered at the school on Monday, August 21 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for staff and students affected by Aponte’s passing.
“Brick Township Public Schools Acting Superintendent Dennis Filippone, the Brick Township Public Schools Board of Education, and the entire Brick Township school community mourn the loss of this student and send our deepest sympathy to the Aponte family,” read the statement.
It was noted that no plans have been announced yet for a funeral or memorial service.
Patrolman Keith Donnelly and Patrolman Dierking from the Brick Police Traffic Safety Unit and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Fatal Accident Investigations Unit are conducting an investigation following the crash. Anyone with information regarding the crash or who may have witnessed it is advised to contact the Traffic Safety Unit at 732-262-1140.
