H.S. South mourns loss of classmate

Patrick Tully Basilicato

17-year-old crashed

his SUV into a tree in

Thompson Park area

BY DAN NEWMAN

Staff Writer

A 17-year-old Middletown High School South student died Thursday morning following a car accident two nights earlier.

Patrick Tully Basilicato, Leonardo section of Middletown, was pronounced dead at Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune, at 3:30 a.m. on Nov. 2. He and another 17-year-old township resident, whose name was withheld, were involved in a single-car accident on Thompson Lane, which according to the Monmouth County Parks Department, is the entry road to Thompson Park on Newman Springs Road, located across from Christian Brothers Academy.

According to Middletown Police Lt. Craig Weber, Basilicato and his passenger were riding in a 2000 Dodge Durango which veered off the road and struck a tree.

"The road has a lot of dirt and gravel and so the vehicle may have kicked up some dirt and that may have caused a problem," Weber said.

Basilicato's mother, Kathleen, said that her son may have tried to show off a bit.

"He may have tried to take off quickly. Some gravel may have been shot up off the road and that's what could have happened," Basilicato said.

An interest in computers and music were just a few of the things that kept the high school junior busy, along with being on the school's track team.

"He was the best friend that anyone could have," Basilicato said. "He was a very kind and gentle person."

She also mentioned that the school had a moment of silence for him and that his organs would be donated.

"At least now Patrick will continue to live on through someone else," Basilicato said.

According to Basilicato, Interim Superintendent Karen Bilbao paid a visit to the family's Florence Avenue home.

Bilbao said on Friday that a crisis team and grief counselors are available at the school.

Weber said that his department is still investigating whether or not alcohol played a role in the crash. He also stated that Basilicato's passenger did not seek medical attention at the scene.

Funeral services were scheduled for this past Monday at St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church in Atlantic Highlands. Burial was at Fair View Cemetery in Middletown.