Stoughton HS students grieve loss of 4 teens killed in crash

STOUGHTON, Mass. - It was a sleepless night for some in Stoughton as they grieved the loss of four teenagers killed in a car crash in East Bridgewater.

The crash happened on Saturday afternoon shortly after 4:00 p.m., and by Sunday afternoon, students and staff were making preparations for school to open on Monday.

Four teenagers were killed when the car they were in went out of control on Route 106 in East Bridgewater and slammed into a tree. The driver, who hasn't been identified, suffered critical injuries and remains hospitalized.

"Shock, disbelief, I said 'no, this just has to be a nightmare, this can't be true," said Janet Hadley, who knew the victims.

Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz tweeted Sunday morning with details on the crash, identifying the four victims as 17-year-olds Christopher Desir, Eric Sarblah and David Bell, and 16-year-old Nick Joyce.

"Having four teenagers pass away is just unreal," said Anthony Burke, a teammate of one of the victims.

School counselors say they will have counselors at the high school on Monday to help anyone affected by this major loss.

"We wanted to be a resource of comfort, a resource of physical need if needed, we just kinda wanted to rally around the families in Stoughton," said Stoughton High School coach Chaneika Polk.

The school opened on Sunday to offer support to students, and a couple of churches held special services Sunday night for the victims.

"It's like you're hoping to wake up and it was just a dream, it's tough," said Mark Walker, Nick Joyce's uncle. "I mean, to lose your life when it’s just beginning, I can’t even explain how hurt we are."

Walker said his family is living a nightmare after learning his nephew was one of the victims killed in Saturday's crash.

He said all four boys were friends who had just left an afternoon of playing paintball.

"Just an experience I wouldn’t wish on anybody, it’s something we’ve never been through, I mean to lose a young kid that was so bright, so talented, had a great future ahead of him," said Walker.

Burke and Matthew Hadley played football with two of the victims, Nick Joyce and David Bell.

"I'm living my worst nightmare right now," said Burke. "I got the call at work and I just can't believe it, it's them. I was actually with David yesterday morning."

PREVIOUS: 4 Stoughton students dead, 1 injured in violent East Bridgewater crash

The superintendent said all four crash victims were on the track team. A regional track meet at Canton High School became a gathering point for grieving Stoughton High School students.

"I played with these kids since I was 8 years old so just hearing about the events that happened, you know kind of a part of me left with them - it's just really hard right now," said Hadley.

Students say the school will never be the same, but they'll hold on to the bond they've had with those lost.

"Past, present and future Black Knights, you know we just all stick together and will always have something that kinda connects us," said Hadley.

In a statement Saturday, Stoughton Public Schools Superintendent Marguerite Rizzi said that the community had experienced a tragedy, and said "there are no words to articulate the impact of this loss."

"This is a shock and a trauma for our entire community," Rizzi said. "It will not make sense because it does not make sense. For students, especially those who know the classmates involved in the crash, you will likely feel confused, angry, and sad, and sometimes all at the same time. You are not alone in your grief and you should not feel alone. Know that the adults in our community will feel the same way."

Police are still trying to figure out the cause of the crash and are looking into whether speed and the rain may have been contributing factors. Investigators still haven't confirmed how fast the car was going.

The State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and East Bridgewater Police are actively investigating this incident.

Cox Media Group