NJ Soccer Star Killed In Crash
VINELAND, NJ (CBS) -- The sign outside Sacred Heart High School speaks of sadness at a time when there should be songs of joy.
It reads "R.I.P. Nick Gazzara."
"I couldn't believe it," said Gazzara's friend, Patrick Bik. "At first I thought it was a joke, but there's nothing funny about it."
One week before Christmas, Gazzara, 18, a senior at Sacred Heart, lost his life in a car crash Thursday afternoon. Police said he lost control of his Lincoln on Route 54, veered into oncoming traffic, and collided with a Ford box truck. Police said Gazzara was not wearing his seatbelt.
"Everyone misses you here Nick," said Bik to his friend.
Now his friends, who were ready for a weekend of hanging out, are instead trying to cope with his loss. The school held a memorial mass for Nick and had grief counselors ready to talk to students.
"Death is a very difficult thing to deal with when you're this young," said Father Edward Namiotka.
Nick was a standout soccer player, scoring 42 goals this season, setting a school record. He was named a first-team Press of Atlantic City all-star the day he died.
"Win together, walk together forever. That was our slogan when we won the state championship," said Nick's friend, Jaryd Aulffo. "And that's what we're still doing."
Jaryd Aulffo was a co-captain on the soccer team. He wears Nick's number 10 as a tribute to a great player and a better friend.
He said Nick planned on attending Stockton College on a soccer scholarship.
For those who knew Nick Gazzara, the holidays will be a time to mourn and remember a life lost so young.
Reported by Oren Liebermann, CBS 3
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