Fire Rescue News - Father of Oakcrest student killed in car crash recalls his daughter, 17, as caring person who loved friends
Those were the words Joseph Murray used to describe his 17-year-old daughter, Katie, who was killed in a single-car crash Thursday afternoon on Weekstown Road in Mullica Township.....Continue Reading
"All we know is that she was at a friend's house in Mullica earlier in the day and was in a good mood and happy when she left," Joseph Murray said. "She came home to do some school work... and then she was on her way to see another friend when it happened."
Murray said it was typical for her daughter to pay so much attention to her friends.
"Katie was a beautiful person, inside and out. She was a vegan because of the animal rights proponent, and took great pleasure in helping others," he said.
"She had many friends. And whenever any of them had difficulties, she would be at their side to help them through it."
As of this afternoon, the Mullica Township police were still investigating the cause of the crash.
Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School District interim superintendent Steven Ciccariello said Oakcrest's students, teachers and staff were grieving Friday.
"This is a very difficult time for us," he said.
Murray said his daughter had not decided on a college yet, but knew that she wanted to choose a career in which she could help people.
"She was destined for a lifetime of assisting others," he said.
Joseph Murray, an attorney, was working at his law office in Brigantine when the Brigantine police came to his office to notify him of the accident.
"I knew something had happened," said Murray, who promptly notified his wife, Lyn, who is an administrator at a mental health facility in Galloway Township, and Katie's 23-year-old sister, Shannon, who is an engineer in Bergenfield, Bergen County.
The family spent much of Friday accepting condolences at their home in the Green Bank section of Washington Township, Burlington County.
"Our whole family is devastated," Joseph Murray said. "Absolutely devastated."
Funeral arrangements for Katie had not been set as of this afternoon.
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If there is anyone that would like to join the Fan page on Facebook that was made in memory of Katie Here is the link In Loving Memory of Katie Murray
The Elwood Fire Company would like to express our sympathy to friends and family.
