Winston-Salem police confirmed that 14-year-old Mark Zanzarella of Clemmons was killed Sunday morning while riding his bicycle on U.S. 311 near Union Cross Road. According to WXII, the accident occurred about 3 a.m., when a vehicle driven by 18-year-old Angelica Rincon hit the bicycle while traveling southbound on 311.
The young victim was riding a pink bicycle and was either crossing the roadway from east to west or proceeding in the left southbound lane. Police said they do not believe that speed or alcohol was a factor in the deadly crash.
WFMY is reporting that the teen’s mother, Earlene Jones, said he took his little sister’s bike to go meet a girl he met on MySpace. Mrs. Jones believed Mark was on the way from Clemmons to Kernersville.
According to Fox8, police would like to speak to the driver of a red pickup truck who stopped to help. They believe he may have witnessed the accident. Police are also asking anyone else with information about the accident to call them at 336.773.7700.
According to WFMY this is the 14th traffic death this year in Winston-Salem. There were only 6 fatalities during the same period last year.
Update 07/13/09: By all accounts, Mark was a special young man. As you can see from the comments below, his friends and family treasured him and are devastated at his loss. Mark’s Dad, Cosmo Zanzarella told the Winston-Salem Journal that his son was outgoing but had a sensitive side, an assessment echoed by Mark’s friends and neighbors. He will certainly be missed by them all.
I suppose at this point I should add something about bicycle safety tips and keeping a sharp lookout while driving at night. But there is a time to examine such matters and a time to grieve. Now is the time to celebrate a sparkling, but too-brief life.
14 Comments
a school friend
We all respected mark. he was a really neat person. he will be missed very much. rip.
Pierce Egerton
It's hard to come to grips with the tragic death of someone so young. My condolences to Mark's friends and family.
best friend
Mark was one of my best friends. I can't get the thought through my head. I miss him so so so much. He was the last person that deserved this.
Mark's "blood brother"
Mark was the best friend I could ever ask for.
He was always there for me, no matter what. Mark and I had some pretty @#$ing awesome times together. He's given me some of the greatest experiences of my life. (No, that's not meant to sound sexual in any way, you perverts.) He didn't deserve this at all, and I hope the beeyotch that hit him gets sent to jail or something. He's been a great role model for me. I cannot believe he's dead.
R.I.P. Brother.
Mina Zanzarella
Mark,
Your family here in NY is hurting and missing you so very much. You were loved so much here and will be missed. I know you are in a very special place right now looking down on your parents. They are hurting - please help them get through this. we are here for them but it is so hard.
we miss you and love you very much
Aunt Mina
Pierce Egerton
Over the years, I've worked with many families that have lost children in tragic accidents. I've also seen the loss of a child in families of dear friends. It NEVER gets easier to bear. God bless Mark's family and friends.
chase
I knew mark back in 5th grade and however i never really was friends with him gotta respect him for the person he was.
-chase
NY Family
many thanks to everyones for all of your heartfelt prayers and condolences. Our family is devastated by this horific tradgity,and the overwhelming support and love will help strengthen us,especially his brother Jake, Father and Mother We know that Mark is in a better place,although much too early to be called home but it is the people left behind that have to bare the suffering of this great loss.Mark's time was short,but he seemed to make many people smile ,he had many friends and seemed to love spending time in NY with family. He will be missed by all who knew him and he will be forever in our hearts.We love you Mark Daniel Zanzarella.You will be with us forever.Your Loving family from NY
emma l-w
mark, you were one of my best friends. i loved you like you were part of my family. you were sooo cool. i remember how we used to sit together at lunch with the rest of our "circle", and how, whenever someone wasnt here, it wasnt complete. even though you arent here anymore, you will always be an important part of my life. you will always be the center of the circle. i miss you.
love, emma.
Jessy Williams
Mark and i grew up together, literally, i've known him since i was 4 years old. And i truely will miss him. We went to the same school, daycare, everything. They were truely apart of the family, Mark, Jake, annie and erlene. It's so sad to hear about this and remember all the times we spent together and to know all the people who are in so much pain because of this terrible tragity. It hurts to know that such a good person had such a short time here in this world.
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