In a New York Minute...

A teenager died this morning.

There was a group of teenagers. There was a canyon road. There was alcohol. There were distractions. Not all the details are known.

The car roll six times when it missed a turn. One of the teenagers sustained severe head injuries. This car accident happened Friday, August 29, 2008.

This morning his mom called the school to say that her son took a turn for the worse. His brain had swollen and the doctors have pronounced him "brain dead".

The family cries.

Mom makes the decision not to put her son on life-support. She calls the school to let the principal know that her son is dead.

The school counselor and psychologist were immediately pulled out of a meeting that I was attending. They went behind a close door with the principal -- for a while.

The school counselor came out with tears in her eyes. She turns to the teacher I was sitting next too and says nothing. The teacher asked if she needs to take her mascara off. the counselor shakes her head yes.

They both have tears forming in their eyes.

An announcement over the PA is made to the small high school that lunch will be early today. As the students leave the classrooms, the teachers gather in the teacher's lounge.

The principal announces to everyone that a student is dead.

People cry - hold each other.

The principal apologizes for his quickness and maybe coldness in delivering the news. His job now is to give the teachers time to grieve before facing their students with the news.

Pages from the public school crisis manual are passed out- admittedly remorseless.

The principal asked that the group of teachers with the professional's guidance write a statement that will be read to the students when they return from lunch.


This was the prepared statement read to:

We recently learned that a fellow student, name, died this morning in the hospital from complications sustained in a car accident. We do not know all of the details. As soon as we learn new information, we will release that to you. The family has asked that you not drive to Salt Lake City, and we would like you to honor their request.

We have school counselors and psychologists in the building who can talk with you if you wish. We ask that you do not leave the school grounds. Also, please do not use your cell phones to call or text other students in other buildings. All other schools' administrations in the school district have been notified of the incident.

We will be holding school tomorrow.



Students cry.

Students who are not new to life's challenges and heart-breaks cry. Big, brawny male students cry, other female students just left the classrooms, sobbing. Some students hugged teachers and others just cry alone.

It did not have to happen - but it did.