'Magnificent Boy' Mourned In Fatal Ocean County Scooter Crash

JACKSON, NJ — A Jackson Township middle school student who died after being hit by a car while riding a scooter on Tuesday evening is being remembered as "brilliant and lovable, a beautiful person" as family and friends mourn his death.

Anthony Fontana, 12, died Tuesday at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune of injuries he suffered when he was hit on Farmingdale Road about 6 p.m.

Anthony was riding a scooter and trying to cross the road when he was hit by a 2016 Acura ILX, which was headed east on the road, Jackson Sgt. George Vidalis said. The driver's name has not been released.

A GoFundme set up to help the family pay for his funeral services called Anthony a "magnificent boy."

"It is unexplainable and hard to accept that a boy so young has been taken from us," wrote Robert Gerardo, the GoFundme organizer. "He was just 12 years old with the will to accomplish the world."

Anthony loved to play video games, but enjoyed playing outside with friends, too, Gerardo wrote.

"I miss Anthony already," one donor wrote on the GoFundme. "I can't believe this happened to him at such a young age. We've known each other since 1st grade and I'm heartbroken. I love him and miss him. See you soon buddy."

He was a student at Christa McAuliffe Middle School, and one of the teachers there wrote: "Anthony left a huge impact on the CMMS chorus family and he will truly be missed!"

The campaign had raised more than $15,000 in less than 24 hours.

"He was brilliant and lovable, a beautiful person both inside and out," Gerardo wrote. "He was a great student, a dear brother and a beloved son. He will be missed by all."

Funeral services have been set for Friday and Saturday, with the visitation from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday at the George S. Hassler Funeral Home, 980 Bennetts Mills Road in Jackson. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 5, beginning with a gathering at 9:30 a.m. and the funeral at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. An additional funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Hooper Avenue, Toms River.

Jackson Township police and investigators from the Ocean County prosecutor's office and sheriff's department. Witnesses are asked to call Jackson Police Officer Donald Lasko at 732-928-1111, ext. 2406.

"For whatever reason God must have needed another Angel that day and called upon this magnificent boy," Gerardo wrote. "He will be missed by all."

You can donate to the GoFundme here.

GoFundme is a Patch promotional partner.

This has been updated with additional funeral information.

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