SCHOOL BUS CRASH REPORTS 2007

Durham Mourns Boy's Death
May 31, 2007

DURHAM — A 14-year-old freshman at Oyster River High School died Wednesday, four days after he was struck by the side mirror of a passing school bus while riding a skateboard on Coe Drive.

Oliver Slezak, of Bagdad Road, died at around 2:55 p.m. as a result of injuries he sustained in Saturday's accident. An investigation is ongoing, and will be reviewed by the county attorney's office once it is complete, police say.

Earlier in the day Wednesday, students organized an impromptu gathering to show support for Slezak, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on the varsity field, only footsteps away from where he was struck. The gathering, however, turned into a memorial when news of the freshman's death spread quickly among students.

About 200 students congregated near the accident site as the sun went down Wednesday night, lighting candles and using colored chalk to write messages for Oliver on the street and sidewalk. Single pink roses were placed atop markings made by police along the roadway

As students walked somberly from the varsity field to Coe Drive, many placed lighted candles and flowers along the sidewalk and fence, before forming a circle around the scene of the accident. Many were crying, and the young students consoled each other silently.

This morning at the high school, a moment of silence was held following first period, at 8:20 a.m., Principal Laura Rogers said. Additional grief counseling is available to students throughout the day, and teachers have been advised to do what they can to reduce student stress levels.

Durham Police Chief David Kurz said investigators are still interviewing witnesses, and reports are being completed. The Strafford County Technical Accident Reconstruction Team and the State Highway Patrol are assisting in the investigation.

When the investigation is complete, the case will be submitted to the county attorney's office for review and a final determination.

"These are the types of things where it's sadness all around," Kurz said.

The accident occurred at 6:41 p.m. Saturday, near the intersection with Beards Landing.

Bus driver Orrin G. Hakey, 61, of Stratham, was returning from an athletic event and driving an empty school bus behind Slezak, who was skateboarding with three other teenagers toward the high school. Hakey had driven into the opposing lane attempting to pass the skateboarders, when a side mirror on the bus struck Slezak in the head.

Slezak, who was not wearing a helmet, sustained serious injuries and was taken to Portsmouth Regional Hospital. He was flown later in the night to Boston Children's Hospital where he died Wednesday.

There are no indications that Hakey, an Oyster River Cooperative School District employee, was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. What caused the bus to come so close to Slezak remains under investigation, police say. It has not been determined if speed was a factor. The speed limit along Coe Drive is 20 miles per hour.

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to call the police department at 868-2324.

Oyster River schools have had their share of tragedy in the past several years. In March 2005, Superintendent Thomas Carroll Jr. died of a heart attack at his home in Newmarket, and his death was followed by that of Principal Donald Lafferty, who died of cancer less than two weeks later.

Then in May 2005, varsity baseball pitcher Matthew Sarno, 17, died of acute leukemia only days after exiting a game because he felt ill.

In addition, many students over the past four years have lost close relatives, including parents. This morning's moment of silence for Slezak was an opportunity to acknowledge those losses as well, Rogers said.

An awards ceremony and baccalaureate scheduled for Friday night will go on as scheduled. Though Slezak's death will be on everyone's minds, Rogers said faculty felt it was important to honor the students as planned.

"We also want kids to understand that there are reasons why you keep on moving forward and there are happy times in the future to look forward to," Rogers said.

Funeral arrangements for Slezak are incomplete, according to a short obituary released today. They will be handled by the Kent and Pelczar Funeral Home, in Newmarket.

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