By Dana Williams
With tears streaming down their faces, several students and teachers shared stories about seniors Saul Hernandez Lopez and Quinntin McDonald, who were killed in a car accident in West Hempstead on April 10. According to police, at 11:47 a.m. that day, a 2007 Mazda sedan traveling north at a high speed on Nassau Boulevard - near Baldwin Drive and across the street from Echo Park - crashed into a utility pole and dumpster.
McDonald, 17, who was sitting in the front passenger's seat, and Lopez, 17, who was in the rear seat, were transported to Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, where Lopez was pronounced dead at 12:15 p.m., police said. The following day, McDonald, 17, who was initially listed in critical condition with head trauma, was pronounced dead at 11:20 a.m.
The driver, Herbert Martinez, 17, who is also a senior at WHHS, suffered head and chest trauma and was airlifted by a police helicopter to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, a police report stated. Martinez was listed in stable condition as the Herald went to press, according to hospital officials.
Witnesses told police that Martinez tried to pass another car before the Mazda spun out of control and crashed into the dumpster, which was filled with broken concrete, and the utility pole. Martinez's car was impounded for brake and safety checks, and it has not been determined whether charges will be filed against him, police said.
At the vigil the following night, the dead teens' friends said that they were kind boys who valued the importance of being good students and friends. Some spoke of Lopez's honesty and his encouragement of others to stand up for what was right. Teacher Kelly Dooley recalled first meeting Lopez when he was in seventh grade, and described an infectious smile and personality. "He truly was a remarkable student," Dooley said. "Saul was empathetic, caring, loving and just a spectacular kid."
Teacher Tracy Hutt shared similar sentiments, saying that Lopez was one of the nicest students she has ever met. She recalled seeing Lopez, who was a novice boxer, jumping rope in the school's gym and weight room. "We talked and shared stories all the time about boxing," Hutt said. "Saul was just a great kid."
McDonald's friends spoke of his intelligence, his athletic talents and great sense of humor, with many saying that although he was quiet, he still had a positive presence in the lives of others. "Quinntin was just a really sweet guy, and I will never forget the times I shared with him," one student said before starting to cry.
Dooley took a moment to encourage students to be responsible drivers by adhering to speed limits and other laws of the road. "I can only hope that out of this tragedy we have all learned a lesson," she told the students. "We're not immortal ... and I hope that after you all put your keys in your cars, you'll be more careful."
Because the crash occurred as the three students were driving from the campus to get lunch, on Friday school officials suspended the open campus lunch policy, which allows students to leave school in their cars during their lunch periods. The policy was criticized by parents and local politicians in the days after the accident.
The incident has prompted state Assemblyman Michael Gianaris (D-Queens) to renew his call to enact a bill that would ban school districts statewide from permitting students to leave for lunch in their cars during school hours. Gianaris first introduced the bill in January, after three teens were killed in a similar accident in Smithtown. "How many of our kids must die before we enact this sensible plan?" Gianaris said in a statement. "We know that open campus policies put our students at greater risk. The time has come to ban this dangerous policy once and for all."
School officials would not say whether the district would permanently ban the high school's lunch policy.
Throughout the school day last Friday, WHHS Principal Thomas Lee said at the vigil, he saw students, teachers and staff reaching out to console one another. The vigil, organized by students, was another example of the school community coming together during a time of need, Lee said. "West Hempstead and Island Park are strong communities," he said, "and together we will help each other deal with this tragedy."
Moments later, more than 400 people walked down Nassau Boulevard to the accident site to create a makeshift memorial with candles, flowers, teddy bears and cards for the three teens. Students walked silently, many holding hands and stopping frequently to give others hugs for comfort.
"Their lives were short but filled with richness," Lee said to the reassembled crowd. "And we will remember them always."
To help students and employees cope with the tragedy, school officials offered them the services of counselors, psychologists and clergy members. The vigil, school officials said, also gave the school community a chance to collectively wish for Martinez's recovery and return. "We also extend our thoughts and concern to the family of Herbert Martinez," district Superintendent John Hogan said in a statement. "It is our hope that Herbert will fully recover and return to us as soon as possible."
Lopez's funeral took place on Monday at the St. Thomas the Apostle Church in West Hempstead, followed by a burial at St. Charles Cemetery in East Farmingdale. McDonald's wake is set for Saturday at St. Paul's Church in Rockville Centre, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., and his funeral will follow at noon.
Comments about this story? DWilliams@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 282.
