UPDATE: Fair Lawn Boy, 12, Killed In Route 208 Crash Identified

FAIR LAWN, NJ — Authorities have released the name of the student killed in a crash on Route 208 Sunday night.

Christian Tawadros, 12, was identified in a letter Superintendent Nicholas Norcia sent in a letter to the community Monday. He was hit by a Bergen County Sheriff's officer on patrol.

"Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Christian," Norcia said.

Tawadros was hit by a Bergen County Sheriff's officer while crossing Route 208 with several other kids, authorities said.

Tawadros was hit shortly after 9 p.m. on Route 208 South near the Fair Lawn Avenue exit ramp, said acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo.

Related: Juvenile Killed On Rt. 208 In Fair Lawn: Police

An investigation revealed that Tawadros was trying to cross the highway going east to west with several other juveniles when he was hit by a Bergen County Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle, Calo said.

A sheriff's officer was on routine patrol, driving in the left-hand lane of Route 208 South, when he hit the boy, Calo said.

The officer is Michael Sansevere, Sheriff Anthony Cureton said in a statement.

Sansevere was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center shortly after the collision. He was treated and released.

Authorities continue to investigate the collision.

"Our hearts go out to the family of the deceased during this difficult time," Cureton said.

Tawadros was a Thomas Jefferson Middle School.

"Our condolences go out to the student's family and friends," Norcia said in a statement. "When our school community experiences a tragedy, such as the loss of a young life, it impacts all of us. As a father, this is the unthinkable and my heart goes out to the family. I ask anyone who reads this to hug your loved ones a little tighter today."

Norcia notified the school district community Monday morning.

The district, which is on spring recess this week, will provide counseling at Thomas Jefferson Middle School Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. District and support staff will be available in every school building when school resumes Monday.

"We want the Fair Lawn School community to know that if you feel that your child or family needs some assistance, please contact us, and we will do everything we can to help you," Norcia said. "We know you will join us in keeping the family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."

Mayor Kurt Peluso's echoed Norcia's comments.

"This has been a very tragic experience for our community and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and all of those involved," Peluso said. "The borough will continue to support our community."

The Fair Lawn Police Department said its thoughts and prayers are with the families of the boy who died and the sheriff's officer involved.

"As a community we will stand together and be there through these though times," police said in a statement.

Local leaders expressed their condolences.

"Thoughts and prayers to all affected by this horrific tragedy," said Paramus Mayor Richard LaBarbiera. "Our neighboring Fair Lawn community is always there for us in our times of need, and they should know we are there for them."

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com