As a result of an investigation by the state police, a 36-year-old Hamilton Township man has been charged with two counts of manslaughter and two counts of vehicular homicide in connection with a three-car crash that killed a popular Hudson County Prep high school teacher and his daughter on Monday.
The Feb. 22 accident occurred near Exit 14 C of the New Jersey Turnpike in Jersey City and caused the death of Bayonne resident Timothy O’Donnell, 48, and his 5-year old daughter, Bridget.
O’Donnell also has a wife and 6-year-old daughter. His wife has spoken in the last few days about how her family helped her through a recent battle with cancer – only to suffer a new tragedy.
O’Donnell’s school is one of the public countywide high schools that are part of the Hudson County Schools of Technology. Prep is located in Jersey City.
The state police said that the accident occurred near the toll plaza in Jersey City at about 3:19 p.m. on Monday. O’Donnell had just picked up his daughter from day care.
Scott Hahn, driving a 1998 Mercedes-Benz, has been charged with rear-ending O’Donnell’s car, causing it to go on the other side of the highway, where it was hit by an oncoming car. Officials have alleged that he was under the influence of Adderall at the time.
Based on the preliminary investigation, detectives determined that O’Donnell, who was driving a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu, was slowing with traffic at the tolls when he was struck from behind. As a result of the impact, O’Donnell’s car traveled through the tolls and entered the eastbound lane.
“He loved his students and he loved his work. To some he may be a run-of-the-mill teacher, to us, he’s our hero.” – Pam O’Donnell
____________
State Police initially reported the accident as a two-car crash in what is a heavily traversed section leading to and from the Holland Tunnel.
Jersey City Medical Center responded by sending three ambulances. Two paramedic units went to the scene.
The accident resulted in a traffic backup on the westbound side of the highway.
O’Donnell was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:41 p.m. Bridget O’Donnell was transported to Jersey City Medical Center where she was pronounced dead at 3:43 p.m.
Hahn was transported to Jersey City Medical Center with moderate injuries. Morales was transported to Bayonne Medical Center where he was treated for minor injuries and later released.
Community responds to tragedy
O’Donnell taught chemistry, physics, and other science classes to sophomores, juniors, and seniors at County Prep. He had worked at the school since 1998 and coached its softball program for several years. He also coached softball at Hudson Catholic High School.
“Mr. O’Donnell was a tremendous asset for our students, his fellow teachers and staff at County Prep,” said Hudson County Schools of Technology Superintendent Frank Gargiulo. “We are forever grateful for his contributions to the school district, and he will always be remembered in our hearts and minds.”
Gerald Lyons, a member of the Jersey City Board of Education and former coworker, sent a message of condolence.
“A co-worker, Mr. Tim O’ Donnell, an incredible teacher who dedicated most of his adult life to County Prep, was taken from us yesterday, along with his daughter Bridie,” Lyon said in his message. “His wife, demonstrating enormous strength while battling several serious cancers over the past few years, has suddenly lost her husband and daughter. Her frequent posts on Facebook throughout her illness often thanked Tim for being the best husband and dad anyone could want.”
O’Donnell was a prominent high school softball coach during his career and was the only softball coach in history to be named Coach of the Year by the Hudson Reporter at two different schools. O’Donnell first earned the honor in 2007 when he was coaching at County Prep, which has since eliminated all interscholastic sports. O’Donnell moved on and was named Coach of the Year as well at Hudson Catholic in 2012, where he remained for four seasons, getting that program going in the right direction before resigning in 2014.
“Timmy was a great guy,” said Terry Matthews, O’Donnell’s former athletic director during his days at Hudson Catholic. “He was accomplished when he got here, having been successful before. It was a great fit when he came in. He knew how to handle the girls. He always did a little extra for the girls outside of softball. He treated his teams fairly and did a great job. He was a great example of what a coach should be. We reaped the benefits of Timmy starting our program and he was a valued member of our family.”
O’Donnell recently became involved with the Bayonne Little League softball program and was starting a league for girls ages 6 through 8.
“Our entire community is devastated by the loss of Tim O’Donnell,” said County Prep Principal Barbara Mendolla. “Tim was a big guy with a big heart. His students, colleagues and everyone who knew him truly loved him and he will be incredibly missed by all of us.”
O’Donnell was a lifelong Bayonne resident and a graduate of St. Peter’s Prep and Rutgers University. He held a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology from New Jersey City University.
“The HCST family mourns today with a heavy heart,” said HCST Board of Education President Craig Guy. “Mr. O’Donnell was truly an irreplaceable figure. His presence was felt by all those that crossed paths with him and especially at County Prep. He will be greatly missed.”
His own teachers remember
Maribeth Doria, wife for former state Sen. Joseph Doria, recalled O’Donnell as a student.
“I taught him when he was in the fifth grade, even then he was a wonderful person, a little mayor,” she said.
“Mr. O’ Donnell was not only a dedicated husband, father and friend but a fiercely dedicated teacher,” said his wife Pam O’Donnell. “He loved his students and he loved his work. To some he may be a run-of-the-mill teacher. To us, he’s our hero.”
County Prep and HCST have made grief counselors available to Mr. O’Donnell’s students and other members of the school community who need assistance.
“Our hearts are broken by the tragic news of this incident which took the lives of Bayonne resident Tim O’Donnell and his 6-year-old daughter Bridget,” said Bayonne Mayor James Davis. “This family has been through so much, and to have this happen is truly a test of faith. Please keep Pam, Ali, and all of their family in your thoughts and prayers as they try to cope in the wake of this tragedy.”
Freeholder Chairman Tilo Rivas held a moment of silence for both victims at the Feb. 23 freeholder caucus.
The Jersey City Council also remembered the victims at the February council meeting.
O’Donnell is survived by his wife Pam and daughter Alessandra, 6.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.