New Jersey student, 18, killed in accident on way home from associate degree
18-year-old New Jersey student, on his way to Syracuse University, dies in horrific crash on his way home after completing an associate degree while attending high school
- Lauren Hewski, 18, attended Brookdale Community College while attending St John Vianney High School
- She received her associate’s degree from community college on Thursday and was on her way home when the car she was in hit a power pole
- Hewski was pronounced dead at the scene and the 17-year-old driver was transported to a local hospital with unknown 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, attended college at Brookdale Community College and also attended St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel as part of an advanced program for high school students.
She received her associate’s degree from community college on Thursday and was on her way back to her home in Matawan when the car she was a passenger in crashed into a power 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 transported to a local hospital. His condition remains unknown.
Monmouth County authorities are now investigating what may have caused the deadly crash, but no charges have been filed so far.
Lauren Hewski, 18, was killed in a car accident on Thursday after completing her college degree
Hewski was scheduled to attend Syracuse University in the fall after graduating from high school
Brookdale president David Stout said in the aftermath 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 degree while completing high school.
“We had just celebrated her success as one of our youngest graduates at Brookdale’s morning 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.
Margaret Kane, principal of St. John Vianney, also said Hewski was “a gifted student and athlete” and that the community suffered “a great loss.”
Friends remembered the high school senior, who was due to graduate on June 3, as “kind, beautiful and intelligent”
A bouquet of flowers has been placed at the power pole where Hewski died
Friends remembered the high school senior, who was due to graduate on June 3, as “kind, beautiful and intelligent,” they said News 12.
While in high school, Hewski was the co-captain of the varsity football team, a member of the National Honor Society, and a past president of the school’s student government.
She was also involved in the Key Club and, according to her LinkedIn profile, had received Girl Scouts awards.
Counseling staff, mental health clinicians and administrators are now available in St. John’s for any student or staff member who would like to talk about Hewski’s sudden passing.
A bunch of flowers has now been placed at the electricity pole where she died.