New Jersey student, 18, bound for Syracuse University killed in horrific crash on way home after earning associate’s degree while attending high school
- Lauren Hewski, 18, was taking college classes at Brookdale Community College while attending St John Vianney Secondary School
- She graduated from community college with an associate’s degree on Thursday and was driving home when the car she was in hit a utility pole.
- Hewski was pronounced dead at the scene and the 17-year-old driver was taken to a local hospital with unspecified injuries.
A New Jersey student who was scheduled to attend Syracuse University in the fall was killed in a horrific accident on her way home from graduation.
Lauren Hewski, 18, was attending college at Brookdale Community College while attending St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel as part of an advanced program for high school students.
She graduated from community college with an associate’s degree on Thursday and was on her way back to her home in Matawan when the car she was traveling in hit a utility pole and overturned on Laird Road in Colts Neck around 12:30 p.m. .
Hewski was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver of the Jeep Cherokee – an unidentified 17-year-old boy – suffered unspecified injuries and was taken to a local hospital. His condition remains unknown.
Monmouth County authorities are currently investigating possible causes of the fatal accident, but so far no charges have been laid.
Lauren Hewski, 18, was killed in a car accident after receiving her associate’s degree on Thursday
Hewski was scheduled to attend Syracuse University in the fall, after graduating from high school
Brookdale president David Stout said afterwards that the college was “devastated” by the tragedy.
He noted that Hewski was one of the youngest graduates of the program that allowed students to simultaneously earn an associate’s degree while completing high school.
“We had just celebrated her success as one of our youngest college graduates at Brookdale’s morning commencement ceremony,” Stout said in a statement.
“Lauren was an incredibly intelligent and talented young woman who left an indelible positive impression on all of her teachers and classmates.”
A college-wide moment of silence was held for Hewski on Friday.
St. John Vianney Principal Margaret Kane also said Hewski was “a gifted student and athlete” and that the community “has suffered a great loss.”
Friends remembered the high school student, who was due to graduate on June 3, as ‘kind, handsome and smart’
A bouquet of flowers was placed at the electricity pole where Hewski died
Friends remembered the high school student, who was due to graduate on June 3, as ‘kind, handsome and smart’, they said News 12.
While in high school, Hewski was co-captain of the varsity football team, member of the National Honor Society, and former president of the school’s student government.
She was also involved with the Key Club and had received Girl Scout awards, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Counseling staff, mental health clinicians and administrators are now available in St. John’s for any student or staff member who would like to speak about Hewski’s sudden passing.
In the meantime, a bouquet of flowers was placed at the electricity pole where she died.
