[ad_1]
The South River community is mourning the loss of 14-year-old Brian Barbosa, who was killed after a car hit his bike and fled the scene. Reportedly, Brian Barbosa, a lovable South River teen, was riding to a friend’s house on Friday, July 7, when a diver in a white truck collided with his bike. The driver then continued without stopping to check on the 14-year-old, who was lying in the middle of the road.
The hit-and-run driver, 63-year-old Michael Arena, was arrested at his home later Friday after the horrific incident was caught on a neighbour’s security camera. The neighbor, David Goodzak, told CBS News he will never forget the devastating scene when he discovered the teen’s missing body lying in the street outside his home.
“The child slipped off the front of the truck and lay on the ground. I saw the child on his arms looking at the truck.”
According to My Central Jersey, the suspect has been charged with first degree murder and leaving the scene of a fatal car accident.
A fundraiser has been launched to provide financial support to Brian Barbosa’s family
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the South River community rallies around Brian Barbosa’s family. A GoFundMe launched by community member Nicole Martins has raised more than $64,000 to provide financial support to the teen’s distressed parents as they grieve for their son. The fundraiser said:
“I wanted to start a fundraiser for his family. We are all so sorry for what you and your family have to go through during this time. If we can help reduce the financial hardship so you can go home and focus on your family, that is something I would love to do for you.”
Bear My Central Jersey Born in Brazil, Brian Barbosa was the only child of Ana Cristina Tautoro and Luis Barbosa. Brian reportedly moved to South River, when he was in the second grade, and quickly developed a reputation as a respectful, kind, and sweet little boy.
One of the parents, Dawn Guindi, whose son Julian was Brian’s best friend, described the murdered teen as a nice young man who was always engaging everyone in conversation. Guindi told the publication:
“He was always smiling. Always nice. Always polite and talkative and respectful. Kids are kids. You know, they don’t all want to talk to people’s parents when they come into the house. Brian is one of the two kids — the only two kids that have come here and done that. They go in.” They came home and they hugged us and said, ‘Hi.’ They say, ‘Good morning.’ They address us as ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad.’ It was that kid.”
The statement was echoed by Causeway Ice Cream, who said the teen, who loved ice cream, was one of their favorite customers. In honor of the teen, Causeway was donating $1 from every milkshake sold Saturday through Monday to help the family with funeral expenses.
Reportedly, Brian Barbosa, who was described as a good athlete, was scheduled to start his freshman year at South River High School in the fall before he was tragically killed. MY Central Jersey reported that the funeral service for the teenager is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. Thursday at Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church.
In the aftermath of their son’s death, Brian’s parents presumably plan to move back to Brazil at some point in the future.
[ad_2]
