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RINGWOOD - Popular teen remembered after fatal crash
(by Donna Rolando - Managing Editor - July 30, 2008)
RINGWOOD - With peace signs and words of encouragement like “rock on” and “forever missed,” a community came together this past week to remember a 19-year-old native who lost his life in an SUV accident Tuesday morning and scrawl their sentiments on “the wall.”
Roughly 100 friends gathered at the rock wall at the borough start of West Brook Road to paint messages on a stony elevated canvas that has a tradition of conveying community sentiments, both happy and sad, over the years. Holding candles and thanking the grieving parents for bringing Derrell Sterling Milligan into the world, the friends provided a tribute his parents would always remember.
“When I first arrived I saw all the candles. Then I saw the kids,” said Derrell’s mom, Ann Marie.
“It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I could not think of a better tribute,” she said.
Ann Marie recalls sitting with Derrell’s friends at the wall in complete silence for some three hours, joined by his sister, Kristina Vinson, and little brother Darian Milligan of Ringwood.
“I told them it was an honor to have sat with them. It helped me to know how many people he touched,” she said.
When Ann Marie thanked them, one of the young men said, “No thank you for having such a beautiful son.”
Derrell was heading in the direction of his Ringwood home at 2:15 a.m. Tuesday, July 22 when police say his 1996 Ford Explorer left Margaret King Avenue near Darrett Drive and crashed into several trees then headed down an embankment.
Derrell, a student at Passaic County Community College and graduate of Lakeland Regional High School in Wanaque, was pronounced dead at the scene after being ejected a short distance from the Ford. Although the crash was early in the morning, police think it was discovered quickly due to debris it left in the roadway.
“I feel it was probably called in right away,” said Rothlauf.
Police got the call from a passerby reporting the debris as well as a car in the woods then Sgt. Michael Caughey and Patrolman Christopher DePree responded to investigate.
According to police, he was traveling eastbound, left the right side of the road, returned to the road, left the left side of the road, and then made impact.
Sgt. Rothlauf said the preliminary investigation shows that driver inattention was the reason for the crash but authorities are still awaiting the results of an autopsy by the Newark-based regional medical examiner’s office. Results are not expected to be forthcoming for at least six to eight weeks.
Derrell was alone in the vehicle at the time.
The tragedy leaves a family and a community with memories of all that Derrell had contributed to the world.
His mother, Ann Marie, and father, Darrell, took note of the talent he showed for both music and art.
“He was developing his own comic character. He had amazing drawings,” she said.
Besides comic books, he also stood out for his Native American artwork and earned honorable mention at the St. Catherine’s annual art show in Ringwood.
“He would draw anything that would come to him,” said his mother, but often infusing his own style in the work. “He was incredible. He actually had a vision and his own style. In fact, I encouraged him to become a tattoo artist.”
As a musician, Darrell played guitar, drums and keyboard, also writing his own lyrics. He taught himself the guitar.
During his freshman year at Lakeland, Derrell played football and spent some time with the school’s hiking club. He attended Ringwood schools before high school and would have turned 20 on Aug. 15.
“He was a person who lived life and had an appreciation for life,” Ann Marie went on to say. “He wouldn’t even smash a spider in the house,” she said, but would trap it in a cup and escort it outside.
Now with the way that Darrell has been remembered on the wall, his family can take comfort in how much he was loved.
“They painted the wall, they painted his name, and all signed the wall,” she said. “It was something to see.”
Funeral arrangements were held this past Saturday, July 26 at Richards Funeral Home in West Milford.
| Comments (5) |
On August 26, 2008 Bill said:
I was a student at Lakeland with Derrell. I knew him quite well, he never had anything negative to say and every single time I saw him he put a smile on my face. He was a free spirit, a loving person, creative and just great to be around. I speak for everyone, Derrell you will be missed - thank you for touching our lives, you were a beautiful person. Rest in Peace. |
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On August 21, 2008 a said:
I am outraged that Bob Bonnano decided to white wash "the rock" when a tribute to a Milligan was there. Dont you all think that was a bias act? |
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On August 4, 2008 A said:
I found it appalling last week when I was informed by my child that 'someone' had taken it upon themselves to paint over this tribute the kids had done at 'the rock' for Derrell. Apparently this individual felt that 'it wasnt necessary'. I disagree. These kids - and though they are all around 19 years old - they are still KIDS - these kids are dealing with the tragic loss of a friend the only way they know how. They are dealing with their grief the only way they know how. LET THEM GRIEVE ... PLEASE!!! They went back and re-painted the tribute to their friend ... please ... allow these KIDS to mourn ... they're not being destructive ... they're not being hurtful ... I have never seen a more loving tribute by so many to a friend - than I saw at the rock the night Derrell passed. Not only was the rock painted in honor of him and signed by so many who loved him ... but the kids ... friends ... parents ... were there ... at the rock ... with candles ... in silence ... with HIS PARENTS ... sharing the loss of someone they loved. Please ... let them grieve. |
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On August 2, 2008 anonymous said:
He had a beautiful soul and I think he blessed all of us by giving us the privlage of knowing him. He will be missed very much but he will always be carried by all of us in our hearts. |
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On August 1, 2008 Kristin said:
Derrell Milligan was "like a true brother" to my four boys. We moved to Ringwood, 11 years ago and was neighbors with Derrell and his family which is how this bond has grown. My children, even my 6 year old, have said, we didn't just lose a friend, we lost a family member. To know Derrell was to truly love him and embrace what he had to offer. His true self. His true unique self. It was through his soft, subtlties that my boys felt complete happiness to see him and be a part of his world for a moment. They admired his desire to learn to ride a skateboard as a teen and how they would run out the front door and ask him to do tricks. His humble answer to them was, I need to learn to ride first, I'm not that good yet. But to them, he was good enough. Watching him draw was phenomenal. Early days of Crash Bandicoot brings a smile across all of our faces. The portrait of my boys he drew with pencil for a gift for my own parents was absolutely outstanding. Good enough, and understatement. Good enough at everything. He was Derrell. He was "like a brother." |
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