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Lauren Hewski, an 18-year-old student from Matawan, New Jersey, had a bright future ahead of her.
She was set to attend Syracuse University in the fall after completing college courses at Brookdale Community College.
However, her life was tragically cut short in a car crash just hours after graduating with her associate’s degree from Brookdale.
We will take a closer look at what we know about Lauren Hewski.
Lauren Hewski’s Background and Academic Achievements
Lauren Hewski was an accomplished student with a bright future ahead of her.
She attended St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel and was part of an advanced program for high school students that allowed her to simultaneously take college courses at Brookdale Community College.
Hewski’s academic achievements were impressive. She earned her associate’s degree from Brookdale on Thursday, May 12, 2023, becoming one of the youngest graduates of the program.
She had been accepted to Syracuse University, where she planned to continue her studies in the fall.
The Fatal Car Crash
Tragically, Lauren Hewski’s life was cut short in a car crash just hours after graduating from Brookdale Community College.
The accident occurred on Laird Road in Colts Neck at around 12.30pm.
Hewski was a passenger in a Jeep Cherokee driven by an unidentified 17-year-old boy.
The vehicle hit a utility pole and flipped over, killing Hewski instantly.
The driver of the Jeep Cherokee suffered unspecified injuries and was transported to a local hospital. His condition remains unknown.
Monmouth County authorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash, but no charges have been filed as of yet.
Reaction and Mourning
Lauren Hewski’s death has shocked and saddened the community.
Brookdale Community College President David Stout expressed his condolences in the aftermath of the tragedy, saying that the college was “devastated” by the news.
He noted that Hewski was one of the youngest graduates of the program that allowed students to simultaneously earn an associate degree while finishing high school.
‘We had just celebrated her success as one of our youngest college graduates at Brookdale’s morning commencement ceremony,’ Stout said in a statement.
‘Lauren was an incredibly intelligent and talented young woman who left an indelibly positive impression on all her faculty and classmates.’
A college-wide moment of silence was held for Hewski on Friday.
St. John Vianney Principal Margaret Kane also said Hewski was ‘a gifted student and athlete,’ and the community ‘suffered a great loss.’
