Tag:

Special Needs

UPDATE: Pedestrian Struck, Killed On Garden State Parkway Was Missing Rockland Teen UPDATE: Pedestrian Struck, Killed On Garden State Parkway Was Missing Rockland Teen
Update: Pedestrian Struck, Killed On Garden State Parkway Was Missing Rockland Teen A missing Rockland County girl died when she was struck on the Garden State Parkway by two vehicles -- one of which kept going -- just before dawn Thursday, authorities said. The 14-year-old victim from Chestnut Ridge was pronounced dead on the darkened southbound highway near Exit 171 south of the James Gandolfini Service Area in Montvale shortly after 5 a.m. Nov. 16, they said. An unknown vehicle hit the girl first and kept going, New Jersey State Police Trooper Troy McNair said. A Chevy Tahoe traveling behind that vehicle then hit her, as well, he said. The Tahoe driver "cont…
MURDER SUICIDE: Connecticut Mom Intentionally Drove Son With Special Needs Into Lake, PD Says MURDER SUICIDE: Connecticut Mom Intentionally Drove Son With Special Needs Into Lake, PD Says
Murder Suicide: Connecticut Mom Intentionally Drove Son With Special Needs Into Lake, PD Says A crash in which a Connecticut mom intentionally drove her son with special needs into Connecticut lake last summer has been ruled a murder-suicide, authorities said following a lengthy investigation. Connie Crowell, 54, of Monroe, was behind the wheel of an SUV, with her 22-year-old son John Crowell in the passenger's seat, when she steered the vehicle into the Housatonic River in Seymour on July 31, 2020. A nearby boater trying to rescue the Crowells said the driver refused to acknowledge or accept the boater's assistance and rescue efforts, Seymour Deputy Police Chief Robe…
'Where's The Compassion?' NJ Boy With Autism Kicked Out Of Church During Sister's Baptism 'Where's The Compassion?' NJ Boy With Autism Kicked Out Of Church During Sister's Baptism
'Where's The Compassion?' NJ Boy With Autism Kicked Out Of Church During Sister's Baptism A Union County mom says her son who has autism was kicked out of church by the priest during her daughter's baptism. Nicky, 7, was playing with a ball during his sister Sofia's baptism at Christ the King Church Saturday in Hillside, Julia Vicidomini said on Facebook. The service was private, for family only, which Vicidomini said made her feel more comfortable as Nicky -- who is non-verbal -- doesn't do well during long mass services. "Yes, he was playing with a toy where he should not have been, however, the way the priest kicked him out of the church was completely rude and disrespectful…
Kids OK After Special Needs School Bus Driver ODs Behind Wheel, Crashes In Newark Kids OK After Special Needs School Bus Driver ODs Behind Wheel, Crashes In Newark
Kids OK After Special Needs School Bus Driver ODs Behind Wheel, Crashes In Newark A day after three people were killed by an overdosing driver in a crash at a Route 23 gas station, the driver of a school bus carrying children with special needs had to be revived with Narcan after a crash in Newark. The dozen or so students weren’t injured in the 1 p.m. crash at 14th Avenue and Jones Street. Responders used Narcan to revive the woman, who police said apparently had overdosed on heroin. ****** ALSO SEE: Authorities charged the drugged driver in a Tuesday morning crash that killed a father and son and a gas station attendant on Route 23 in Wayne. https://dailyvoice.…
Paramus Firefighters Douse Lexus Blaze Outside Route 17 Stop & Shop Paramus Firefighters Douse Lexus Blaze Outside Route 17 Stop & Shop
Paramus Firefighters Douse Lexus Blaze Outside Route 17 Stop & Shop Paramus firefighters doused an engine blaze in a Lexus sedan parked outside the Route 17 Stop & Shop early Thursday evening. No injuries were reported at the incident at supermarket on the highway's northbound side. A tow truck removed the heavily scorched vehicle. Paramus police also responded. At the scene.Boyd A. Loving A tow truck removed the heavily scorched vehicle.Boyd A. Loving Boyd A. Loving took the photos and contributed to this report. ****** ALSO SEE: Two special needs students and three workers were safely removed to a nearby store after a school van caught fire…
Handicap Accessible Swing Set Honors Late Clifton Preschool Teacher Handicap Accessible Swing Set Honors Late Clifton Preschool Teacher
Handicap Accessible Swing Set Honors Late Clifton Preschool Teacher A 31-year-old Clifton teacher's memory lives on with a brand new handicap accessible swing set across from the school where she worked. An opening ceremony honoring Joann Zakrzewski was held last weekend at the Holster Park playground. Zakrzewski -- a School 16 preschool teacher for children with special needs -- won the district's Excellence in Education Award in 2014. Two years later, she died of a pulmonary embolism. "JoAnn had a very special place in her heart for children," her sister Janet Zakrzewska said. "She always put kids first.  "She spent endless hours each day during cl…
PHOTOS: Bergenfield Balloon Release Honors 9-Year-Old Boy's Sudden Death PHOTOS: Bergenfield Balloon Release Honors 9-Year-Old Boy's Sudden Death
Photos: Bergenfield Balloon Release Honors 9-Year-Old Boy's Sudden Death Families gathered at the Hoover Elementary School Saturday morning in Bergenfield to honor a 9-year-old boy with special needs who died suddenly this week. Joseph "Jojo" Birney -- who was a beloved member of the Bergenfield Lou Harris Challenger group -- passed away on Oct. 16. He was an active participant with the Challenger program, an extracurricular program for youth with special needs. He was also a student at Oakland's CTC Academy. Green and white balloons were released in his memory -- green for his Irish heritage and white because of his new angel wings. "He was a s…
CAUGHT! Franklin Lakes Man Charged In Hit-Run Death Of Garfield Special Needs Resident CAUGHT! Franklin Lakes Man Charged In Hit-Run Death Of Garfield Special Needs Resident
Caught! Franklin Lakes Man Charged In Hit-Run Death Of Garfield Special Needs Resident UPDATE: A 59-year-old building superintendent from Franklin Lakes was arrested at his home Wednesday morning and charged with the hit-run death of a special needs resident outside a Garfield group home -- thanks to news accounts that included photos of the fleeing vehicle. The Chevy Suburban that struck Giovanni Rivera, 42, was in the driveway when police and investigators took Paul Frischer into custody at his Phelps Road home near the Route 287 overpass just after 6:30 a.m., authorities told Daily Voice. It was impounded as evidence. Frischer was charged with leaving the scene of a crash…
CAUGHT! Franklin Lakes Man, 59, Charged In Hit-Run Death Of Garfield Special Needs Resident CAUGHT! Franklin Lakes Man, 59, Charged In Hit-Run Death Of Garfield Special Needs Resident
Caught! Franklin Lakes Man, 59, Charged In Hit-Run Death Of Garfield Special Needs Resident UPDATE: A 59-year-old building superintendent from Franklin Lakes was arrested at his home Wednesday morning and charged with the hit-run death of a special needs resident outside a Garfield group home -- thanks to news accounts that included photos of the fleeing vehicle. The Chevy Suburban that struck Giovanni Rivera, 42, was in the driveway when police and investigators took Paul Frischer into custody at his Phelps Road home near the Route 287 overpass just after 6:30 a.m., authorities told Daily Voice. It was impounded as evidence. Frischer was charged with leaving the scene of a crash…
CAUGHT! Franklin Lakes Man Charged In Hit-Run Death Of Garfield Special Needs Resident CAUGHT! Franklin Lakes Man Charged In Hit-Run Death Of Garfield Special Needs Resident
Caught! Franklin Lakes Man Charged In Hit-Run Death Of Garfield Special Needs Resident UPDATE: A 59-year-old building superintendent from Franklin Lakes was arrested at his home Wednesday morning and charged with the hit-run death of a special needs resident outside a Garfield group home -- thanks to news accounts that included photos of the fleeing vehicle. The Chevy Suburban that struck Giovanni Rivera, 42, was in the driveway when police and investigators took Paul Frischer into custody at his Phelps Road home near the Route 287 overpass just after 6:30 a.m., authorities told Daily Voice. It was impounded as evidence. Frischer was charged with leaving the scene of a crash…
Lyndhurst High School's First Special Needs Cheerleader Brings Important Quality To Squad Lyndhurst High School's First Special Needs Cheerleader Brings Important Quality To Squad
Lyndhurst High School's First Special Needs Cheerleader Brings Important Quality To Squad A cheerleader is all Lyndhurst's Gianna Cruz has ever wanted to be. Well that, and accepted. This fall, the 15-year-old will be both -- making her Lyndhurst High School's first ever cheerleader with special needs. Born with a rare illness called 22Q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, Gianna has never let her disabilities stand in the way of her dream. Gianna is a longtime member of the Sparks (Special Angels) Cheer Squad and two years ago, she joined Lyndhurst's recreational team. "All we've ever wanted is for Gianna to have acceptance and be included," said mom Anna Rizzo.  "All she d…
Jeff Matthews Of Hasbrouck Heights Dies, 18 Jeff Matthews Of Hasbrouck Heights Dies, 18
Jeff Matthews Of Hasbrouck Heights Dies, 18 Jeff Joseph Matthews of Hasbrouck Heights died on April 10 surrounded by his family. He was 18 years old.  Jeff was born in St. Joseph’s Hospital, Paterson, to Robert and Kathy (nee Chapman) Matthews. Though he struggled his entire life with special needs, Jeff’s sense of humor was legendary; he spread smiles and laughter wherever he went. Though he became extremely ill in the last few months, his battle was fought with the utmost bravery. Jeff is survived by his parents, Robert & Kathy; his sister Shannon; his paternal grandparents, Florine and Robert, Sr. (deceased) Matthews; prede…
Oakland Family Has Been Living In Hotel Since September Oakland Family Has Been Living In Hotel Since September
Oakland Family Has Been Living In Hotel Since September A newly-single mom, her five children and her two parents have been living in a hotel since September, when their Oakland house went into foreclosure. Nicole Becker explained that after separating from her husband in May, the family was forced to move into a hotel where they are limited to two beds and a mini fridge. Becker says she has no help from her husband, now living out-of-state, and is barely getting by. "Not only am I paying for our nightly stays, we are forced to eat out every night, which as you can imagine, is extremely costly," she said.  "And of course this is…