Brooklyn teen among 2 killed when car plunges off overpass in Rockland

A Brooklyn teen is dead after a car plunged off an overpass, landed on train tracks and caught on fire in Rockland County.

News 12 Staff

Oct 14, 2019, 8:36 PM

Updated 1,654 days ago

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A Brooklyn teen is dead after a car plunged off an overpass, landed on train tracks and caught on fire in Rockland County.
Police say the incident happened Sunday at around 3:30 p.m. in Pearl River. News 12 is told that Saniha Cekic, 15, and Altin Nezaj, 17, were in a Porsche that collided with a Volkswagen Jetta.
Police say the Porsche flew off an overpass near Crooked Hill Road and landed near the Pascack Valley line train tracks. Police say the car exploded in flames.
Both of the teens were pronounced dead. Police say both were passengers and that the driver, a third teen, is in critical condition.
Nezaj was a senior and varsity football player at Pearl River High School. Student athletes say most practices were canceled on Monday as they came together to mourn the life of Nezaj, who they say always had a smile on his face and was an incredible athlete.
Nezaj was a star on the football field and on the wrestling team.  
"We are always going to remember Altin as the terrific student and athlete that he was," said Superintendent Marco Pochintesta.
The Department of Education responded to the incident by saying, " This is a tragic loss, and there will be grief counselors available for students and staff. We'll be in close communication with the school community, and ensure students and staff are supported."
Police say this is an ongoing investigation. Police say at this time there is no evidence of drug or alcohol involvement


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