2008 Woodie Awards
Car Crash Takes the Life of MSU Music Student
Jessica Havery
Issue date: 11/18/04 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
A Montclair State University student was killed in a car accident while traveling with three family members to an annual family reunion, called "Thanksgiving in October," in Fairfax County, Virginia, The Washington Times reported.
John Oldigs, 23, a senior music major set to graduate in May 2005 was riding with his aunt Maureen O'Callahan, 41, his uncle Tim O'Callahan, 42, and his cousin Tara O'Callahan, 20, when Tim O'Callahan pulled the car over so that they could switch drivers, The Washington Times reported.
While pulled onto the shoulder of the interstate, a 2001 Dodge Ram pickup, driven by Jonathan O'Neal, 24, crashed into the rear of the family's 1994 Honda Accord, The Washington Times reported.
A captain at the Jersey City fire department, Tim O'Callahan was the only family member to survive the accident. He had stepped out of the vehicle before the accident occurred.
O'Neal was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and charged with driving while intoxicated. Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney, Robert F. Hornan Jr., will decide if O'Neal, a D.C. firefighter recruit, should face vehicular-manslaughter charges, The Washington Times reported.
Friends and co-workers of the three family members attended a viewing at Layton's Funeral Home, in Forked River, NJ, to share memories of their loved ones, The Washington Times reported.
"He's been my best friend since fifth grade," said Paige Cutrona, a lifelong friend of Oldig's. "We used to get detentions in class for talking too much, and then get in trouble for talking during detention."
Oldigs had a love for classical music and theater, playing the piano and key roles in performances of Fiddler On the Roof in his spare time, said Cutrona.
"If I could see him again, I would tell him that he is such a part of who I am," she said.
"John learned that being true to yourself and loving yourself is the highest priority; he hoped to teach others that as well," said Johnathon Reese, a friend of Oldigs.
"He knows that I love him and that I value his friendship," said Cutrona. "He is with me every single day."
Oldigs lived in Jersey City with his uncle while working at The Iron Monkey, a Jersey City restaurant, The Washington Times reported.
Oldigs is survived by his parents Eileen and John Oldigs, retired Air Force sergeants residing in Dover, Delaware.
John Oldigs, 23, a senior music major set to graduate in May 2005 was riding with his aunt Maureen O'Callahan, 41, his uncle Tim O'Callahan, 42, and his cousin Tara O'Callahan, 20, when Tim O'Callahan pulled the car over so that they could switch drivers, The Washington Times reported.
While pulled onto the shoulder of the interstate, a 2001 Dodge Ram pickup, driven by Jonathan O'Neal, 24, crashed into the rear of the family's 1994 Honda Accord, The Washington Times reported.
A captain at the Jersey City fire department, Tim O'Callahan was the only family member to survive the accident. He had stepped out of the vehicle before the accident occurred.
O'Neal was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and charged with driving while intoxicated. Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney, Robert F. Hornan Jr., will decide if O'Neal, a D.C. firefighter recruit, should face vehicular-manslaughter charges, The Washington Times reported.
Friends and co-workers of the three family members attended a viewing at Layton's Funeral Home, in Forked River, NJ, to share memories of their loved ones, The Washington Times reported.
"He's been my best friend since fifth grade," said Paige Cutrona, a lifelong friend of Oldig's. "We used to get detentions in class for talking too much, and then get in trouble for talking during detention."
Oldigs had a love for classical music and theater, playing the piano and key roles in performances of Fiddler On the Roof in his spare time, said Cutrona.
"If I could see him again, I would tell him that he is such a part of who I am," she said.
"John learned that being true to yourself and loving yourself is the highest priority; he hoped to teach others that as well," said Johnathon Reese, a friend of Oldigs.
"He knows that I love him and that I value his friendship," said Cutrona. "He is with me every single day."
Oldigs lived in Jersey City with his uncle while working at The Iron Monkey, a Jersey City restaurant, The Washington Times reported.
Oldigs is survived by his parents Eileen and John Oldigs, retired Air Force sergeants residing in Dover, Delaware.