Newton school mourns loss of lacrosse player in car crash

Published by The Boston Globe

By Sarah Thomas and Katrina Ballard

The official opening of their long-awaited new school was still a week away. But members of the Newton North High School community gathered there in stunned sorrow yesterday to mourn the death of a talented lacrosse goalie who died in a one-car crash Monday night.

Adam London, 17, who would have entered his senior year, died when his car struck a tree on Bellevue Street in Newton Corner, said Jennifer Price, the principal.

There were no passengers in the car when the accident occurred at 9:46 p.m., said Cara O’Brien, a spokeswoman for the Middlesex district attorney’s office. The cause is under investigation, but O’Brien said “there does not appear to be criminal conduct.’’


“Adam was popular with his peers, and he was universally admired for his loyalty and fairness,’’ Price said in a letter notifying the community of the varsity lacrosse player’s death. “Adam was passionate about the sport, worked hard, and made tremendous strides on the field and in his relationship with his teammates. He was considered a team leader.’’

One week before its scheduled ribbon-cutting, the nearly $200 million school was opened yesterday so that students could come together, talk, and grieve, Price said. It will remain open over the next two days, until after scheduled memorial services Friday.

“Next Tuesday, Newton North will officially open, but a school is more than a building,’’ said David Fleishman, Newton’s new superintendent of schools. “It is a community, and this community suffered a terrible loss.’’

The accident occurred on a curved, hilly street that neighbors said was wet from rain. Laurie Greene, who lives on Bellevue Street, said she heard a crash as the car hit the tree. When she looked out her window, she saw a silver sedan on her front lawn facing the street.

Neighbors gathered around the car but could not open the doors, and rescue crews arriving at the scene used the Jaws of Life to extricate the teen, she said.

“I think there was a turn the car did not make,’’ Greene said. “He would not be the first car that hit the curb, not making the turn well.’’

Newton police Officer Tom DeStefano said he learned of the crash when his son, who also played lacrosse, received a text message. “Adam was a great kid, full of energy,’’ said DeStefano, who coached London during his freshman year.

London was one of four children, and his twin sister, Lizzy, attends Newton North, Price said.

He made the varsity team as a freshman and had his most outstanding season this past year as starting goalie, said varsity coach Bussy Adam, who is also a police officer.

“He’s a loyal friend, a very good teammate. He not only developed his athletic talents but great communication skills,’’ the coach said.

“He was probably one of the most passionate lacrosse players I’ve ever coached. He was truly in love with the game this past season in terms of him trying to give back to our program; he came down and worked at our Garden City camp. He shared his love for the game and helped younger kids develop their lacrosse skills.’’

Members of the school community and the Police Department are devastated by the death, Adam said.

“It’s difficult to lose any child, and a kid who had so much life in him, set so many goals . . . and they’re gone in a matter of seconds,’’ he said. “It’s just a difficult time for us.’’

About a dozen lacrosse players gathered yesterday afternoon at the site of the accident. Surrounding a tree was a growing collection of mementos including a lacrosse jersey, white athletic shorts with messages written in marker, and a mask of a tiger, the high school mascot.

TJ Ryan, who plays attack on the team, would have been London’s classmate this year. “He was a committed player and a devoted friend,’’ Ryan said.

“Adam was like a little brother to me,’’ said Mike Vaglica, London’s former captain, who graduated this spring. “He gave 110 percent, no matter what. He was competitive, consistent, and played to win.’’

“He was passionate, loud, and enthusiastic,’’ said Scott Giusti, the team’s cocaptain, also a graduate of the class of 2010. “He was the kind of player every team needs.’’