By Karen Frantz
Hundreds of mourning students gathered at St. Francis Preparatory in Fresh Meadows Saturday night for a candlelight vigil in remembrance of Daniel Fernandez, a 16-year-old student who died in a horrific accident on a party bus the night before.
Following a private service inside the school’s chapel, teenagers processed to the corner of Francis Lewis Boulevard and the Horace Harding Expressway, where they placed lit candles in front of a statue of the school’s patron saint.
As prayers were said, several students began to sob loudly.
Friends spoke of Fernandez as a good-humored boy who got along with everyone and was a talented artist.
Madden McDonagh, 16, who attended Our Lady of Hope Catholic school with Fernandez from fifth to eighth grade, said he was always kidding around and despite being a newcomer to the elementary school was instantly accepted by his peers, which she said was uncommon.
“I still can’t believe it,” McDonagh said. “I’m just shocked … I would never have expected something like this to happen.”
Fernandez died on Aug. 31 after sticking his head through the escape hatch of a double-decker party bus and hitting his head against the underside of an underpass.
Reach reporter Karen Frantz by e-mail at kfrantz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
