North Hunterdon High School student killed in car crash in Franklin, New Jersey

FRANKLIN (Hunterdon) – North Hunterdon High School is in mourning after a student was killed in a traffic accident on Thursday while on her way to the first day of school.

Although the Hunterdon County District Attorney's Office and the school district have not officially confirmed the student's identity, community members have posted tributes to 17-year-old Sophia DeTorres on various online platforms.

A GoFundMe campaign to support the family of the teens and their brother George, who were flown out of the crash scene, had raised more than $17,000 from more than 250 donors as of early Friday afternoon, according to the fundraiser's organizer. The goal is to raise $25,000.

“As a school community, we extend our condolences to the friends and family of this student. North Hunterdon High School has been deeply impacted by this traumatic loss,” wrote Clinton Township School Principal Greg Cotrell in an email to parents, guardians and students. “Our students are grappling with the loss of not only a classmate, but a friend. I am proud of how our school community is coming together to support one another during this difficult time. I expect our school community will continue to comfort one another in the days and weeks to come as we process the loss.”

School counselors and members of the Child Study Team are available to speak with grieving students. In addition, counselors from the Traumatic Loss Coalition and Voorhees High School are available.

“As our school community mourns this tragedy, we extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the lost student,” Assistant Superintendent Rich Bergacs said in a statement.

As of early Friday afternoon, change.org had collected over 1,100 signatures on a petition calling on Hunterdon County to improve safety at the intersection of Route 617 (Sydney Road), Hogback Road and Lower Landsdown Road, where the accident occurred.

“Our close-knit community of Franklin Township has experienced yet another fatal accident, an event that sent shockwaves of sadness and grief through our close-knit community,” wrote petition organizer Christina Faragalla. “An angelic 17-year-old young woman lost her life on the direct route to NHHS, while two other teenagers were still in critical condition 24 hours later.”

“This must be the last time we suffer at this intersection,” wrote Callie Bonnetti in support of the petition. “There is a simple solution to end this madness, or at least try to end it.”

“This square has been dangerous for years. I have warned my two young drivers to be extremely careful there,” wrote Christine Creilly. “It is time to either redesign the square or install a traffic light or a 4-way stop sign.”

Others simply wrote in support of the petition: “For Sophia DeTorres.”

Three passengers were seriously injured in the three-vehicle accident that occurred at around 7:30 a.m. on Thursday morning at the intersection near City Hall.

According to the Hunterdon County District Attorney's Office, the seriously injured passengers were taken to nearby hospitals. Two drivers were treated at the scene.

The Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office, Franklin Township Police Department, and Quakertown, NJ Fire and Emergency Services arrived at the scene. South Branch Emergency Services also dispatched three ambulances to the scene and the Clinton Fire Department assisted in setting up a landing pad for the New Jersey State Police rescue helicopter.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact either the Franklin Township Police Department at 908-735-6508 or the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office at 908-788-1129.

Email: [email protected]; [email protected]