Jackson Memorial High School students and the community mourn the Tuesday evening rush hour accident that claimed the lives of two Jackson Township teenage sisters.

Jaime (L) and Francesca Nicholson (Facebook)
Jaime (L) and Francesca Nicholson (Facebook)
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Students at Jackson Memorial wore white to school on Wednesday according to the Asbury Park Press to remember sisters Jaime Nicholson, 17,  and sister Francesca, who would have turned 16 tomorrow, who both died in the head-on collision that occurred at 5:17PM on South Hope Chapel Road in the area of the Earle Asphalt plant, closing the roadway for several hours from Route 571 to Whitesville Road.

Francesca was a senior at the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES) in Manahawkin while Jaime was in her senior year at Jackson Memorial.

Jackson School Superintendent Thomas Gialnella
Jackson School Superintendent Thomas Gialnella (Ilya Hemlin, Townsquare Media NJ)
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Jackson Superintendent of Schools Thomas Gialnella told reporters that his staff was upset and he encourages staff and students to take advantage of counseling being offered by the school. MATES was also offering counseling to students as well.

No plans have been announced for a memorial service or funeral.

 

In a statement on their Facebook page, Jackson Police say  Jaime apparently  lost control of her car, a a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 190, crossing the center line and colliding with a 2001 Mazda MPV minivan driven by Thomas Migliaccio, 47, of Toms River. Wet roads and excessive speed are being investigated as contributing circumstances to the crash by Jackson Police and the Ocean County Sheriff's Department.

The sisters were members of the Jackson Memorial High School Marching Band Color Guard.

“This is a tragedy. They will be truly missed,” band director Bud McCormick told the Asbury Park Press through a spokeswoman.

South Hope Chapel Road in Jackson (News 12)
South Hope Chapel Road in Jackson (News 12)
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“My heart cries for these families,” said Jackson Mayor Michael Reina.“The Jackson community is a strong community. We’re going to help each other through this difficult time. … (And) we’re going to try to help this family as much as we can,” he added.

The school's website says members of the Jackson School District's crisis response team will be available for students and staff today.

 

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