Students, Family Coping With Death Of Teen Struck And Killed By Alleged Drunk Driver
By Mike DeNardo, Jan Carabeo and Cleve Bryan
BURLINGTON Twp., NJ (CBS) -- It is a difficult day at Burlington City High School.
Students and the staff are coming to grips with the death of a classmate who was run-down by a man police say was driving drunk.
17-year-old Antwan Timbers was walking with a friend near a Wawa not far from his school, when he was struck and killed by a man police say was driving drunk.
Prosecutors are awaiting toxicology tests as they consider criminal charges against 42-year-old Ricardo Patterson of Willingboro.
Timbers' family spoke out on Monday. They chose to focus on the positive and how proud they are of a young man who was on the path to serve his community and country.
"Antwan was just a huge part of all our lives," his father, Antwan Timbers Sr. said. "He meant a lot to us. He was really stepping in the right direction of young adulthood.
As a 10th grader, Timbers was already assuming leadership roles in the JROTC Program at his high school. His dream was to serve in the military like some of his older cousins. Friends and family placed American Flags and flag balloons at the spot were Timbers died.
Timbers family says they will be patient as the investigation determines whether or not Patterson will face charges.
Principal Jim Flynn says it is a sad day.
"The entire Burlington City High School family, and really, the entire Burlington City Community is so devastated with the loss of Antwan. Hew was one of Burlington City's own. He attended schools in Burlington City, from elementary through High School."
Superintendent of Burlington public schools, Patricia T. Doloughty, released the following statement:
'On Sunday morning I received notification that the student who had been killed early in the morning at Route 130 and Federal Street was Antwan Lamar Timbers, Jr., a student a Burlington City High School. Mr. Flynn, Principal of Burlington City High School and I were in contact with each other immediately. Mr. Flynn contacted the Burlington County School Crisis Response Team for assistance for Monday for students and staff. A team was activated for Burlington City High School. I sent an e-mail to the Board of Education and All Staff. A Blackboard Connect call was made to the staff in the schools to check their e-mail.
Antwan Lamar Timbers, Jr. was 17 years old and in Grade 10 at Burlington City High School. Mr. Flynn and I met with Mr. Timbers this morning and were able to extend our deepest sympathy to the family for their tragic loss.
The entire City of Burlington Public Schools family is saddened by the loss. Antwan attended Elias Boudinot School, and Wilbur Watts Intermediate School, as well as Burlington City High School. He was a fine young man with a bright future.
We will have counselors from the Traumatic Loss Coalition available this evening at Burlington City High School at 6:30 p.m.to 8:30 p.m. in the Media Center.'
