Gerrin Hagen, 18, of Long Beach fatally hit riding skateboard, officials said
Long Beach High School hockey player Gerrin Hagen died Friday after he was hit by a car in Hicksville on Thursday. Credit: Long Beach Parks Commissioner Joe Brand
A Long Beach 18-year-old died from his injuries Friday after he was hit by a sport utility vehicle while skateboarding in Hicksville.
Gerrin Hagen, a Long Beach High School senior and student at Nassau BOCES, had been dismissed for the day shortly before he was struck Thursday near Joseph M. Barry Career & Technical Education Center, a spokeswoman for Nassau BOCES in Westbury said
Nassau County police said Hagen was hit at 2:26 p.m. Thursday by a 2012 Honda Pilot as both were heading west on Cantiague Lane. The 19-year-old driver of the SUV remained at the scene and Hagen was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead by doctors Friday.
A candlelight vigil will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Long Beach Ice Arena, located at 150 W. Bay Drive. Guests are asked to dress warmly and bring candles.
"Long Beach families, we ask you to come stand together to remember Gerrin and support the Hagen family," a flier for the event said.
'A friend to so many'
Tributes started pouring in from Long Beach community members Friday. The Long Beach Fire Department shared posts from the Islanders High School Hockey League asking for prayers for Hagen and his family.
Hagen played lacrosse and was also a star hockey defenseman who played with the Long Island Gulls Amateur Hockey Association, the Long Beach Lightning travel hockey program and Long Beach High School's varsity hockey team. Officials said he was a fixture at the Long Beach Ice Arena.
Long Beach schools Superintendent Jennifer Gallagher wrote a letter to parents announcing Hagen’s death.
“As your superintendent, but even more so as a parent, I am heartbroken to share the news that Long Beach High School senior, Gerrin Hagen, passed away today following a tragic accident that occurred yesterday afternoon,” Gallagher wrote. “ . . . As many in our community know, Gerrin was a wonderful student, a talented athlete, and a friend to so many.”
Anne Conway, president of the district's school board, said during an interview Friday evening that the Long Beach community was devastated by the loss. She said Hagen's father is an FDNY firefighter and the family was grieving.
“Gerrin was a true leader respected by his peers and teammates,” Conway said.
Hagen was also a Long Beach lifeguard and captain of the Long Beach High School Varsity Marines hockey team, team coach Michael Medrano said.
Hagen also worked at the Long Beach Ice Arena teaching younger children to skate and helping with the Junior Rangers program, according to Medrano.
“Gerrin’s true love was ice hockey. He was proud to play for our city,” Medrano said.
The Long Beach High School lacrosse team gathered at the hospital during Hagen’s last hours.
“The whole team was there today. We cried together and talked to him and we were just going through it as a team,” said its coach, Jason Pearl. "It was a horrifying situation. He was such a good kid and good to everyone."
School officials said they activated the district’s crisis response plan, sending grief counselors to the high school, who Gallagher said will continue to be available to speak to students in the coming weeks.
The school district is also providing drop-in centers Sunday and Monday, a school holiday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Long Beach High School and the Lindell School to talk about the loss or to gather with friends.
District officials also said the Long Island Crisis Center has a 24/7 hotline at 516-679-1111.
John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.
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