Newton North High School student dies in crash

By Sarah Thomas and Katrina Ballard, Globe Correspondents

A Newton North High School student described as a top lacrosse player and devoted teammate died in a one-car accident Monday night, authorities said today.

Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff

Adam London, playing in a lacrosse game in May.

Adam London, 17, who would have been entering his senior year, died in the crash, deputy superintendent of schools Paul Stein confirmed.

There were no passengers in the car when the accident occurred at 9:46 p.m. on Bellevue Street, said Cara O’Brien, a spokeswoman for the Middlesex District Attorney’s office. The cause is under investigation.

London’s car struck a tree in the accident, according to an e-mail Principal Jennifer Price sent to the Newton North community. Every effort was made to revive London but he was not responsive, she said.

Laurie Greene, who lives on Bellevue Street, said she heard a crash as the car hit the tree and called 911. When she looked out her window, she saw a silver sedan on her front lawn facing the street.

Neighbors gathered around the car but could not open the doors, and rescue crews arriving at the scene used the Jaws of Life to extricate the teen, she said.

Bellevue Street is curvy and on a hill, and the road was wet from rain, Greene said. ‘‘I think there was a turn the car did not make,’’ she said. ‘‘He would not be the first car that hit the curb, not making the turn well.’’

London was a devoted lacrosse player who developed off-season games and teams, Price said in her letter to the Newton North community.

‘‘Adam was passionate about the sport, worked hard, and made tremendous strides on the field and in his relationship with his teammates,’’ she said. ‘‘He was considered a team leader. Adam worked incredibly hard to become the starting goalie and he had an outstanding season this past year.’’

He was one of four children, and his twin sister, Lizzy, attends Newton North, Price said. Previously, he attended Cabot Elementary school and Day Middle school.

‘‘Adam was popular with his peers, and he was universally admired for his loyalty and fairness,’’ Price said.

He made the varsity team as a freshman and had his most outstanding season this past year as goalie, said varsity lacrosse coach Bussy Adam. ‘‘He’s a loyal friend, a very good teammate. He not only developed his athletic talents but great communication skills,’’ the coach said.

‘‘He was probably one of the most passionate lacrosse players I’ve ever coached. He was truly in love with the game — this past season in terms of him trying to give back to our program, he came down and worked at our Garden City camp. He shared his love for the game and helped younger kids develop their lacrosse skills.’’

Newton police officer Tom DeStefano recalled coaching London as a freshman.

‘‘Adam was a great kid, full of energy. Everyone liked him,’’ said DeStefano, whose son also played with London. Goaltender, DeStefano said, is ‘‘the toughest position to fill, and Adam didn’t mind doing it. There are very few people playing goalie in the world, with a ball coming at you 80 miles an hour and he didn’t mind standing in front of it 80 times a day.’’

The new Newton North High School, scheduled for an official ribbon-cutting next week, was opened this afternoon to provide students with a safe space to come together, talk, and grieve, Price said. It will remain open over the next two days, and after memorial services Friday.

"Next Tuesday, Newton North will officially open, but a school is more than a building," David Fleishman, Newton's new superintendent of schools, said at a press conference. "It is a community, and this community suffered a terrible loss."

Both Fleishman and Price spoke highly of London, praising his natural leadership skills and athleticism. Price said the family is planning services for Friday afternoon, and the community has been actively supporting them.

"It's tough. They're struggling," she said. "But right now they have a whole bunch of food and neighbors looking out for them. That's how Newton is."

A growing collection of mementos surrounded a tree at the scene of the accident this afternoon. They included a lacrosse jersey, a pair of white athletic shorts with messages written in marker, and a mask of a tiger, the high school mascot.

Many of London's teammates and former teammates came to the site of the accident to remember their friend.

"He was passionate, loud, and enthusiastic," said Scott Giusti, London's former captain and a graduate of the class of 2010. "He was the kind of player every team needs."

"Adam was like a little brother to me," said Mike Vaglica, the team's other co-captain and a 2010 graduate. "He gave a hundred and 10 percent, no matter what. He was competitive, consistent, and played to win."

TJ Ryan, who plays attack on the team, would have been London's classmate in the class of 2011. "He was a committed player and a devoted friend," Ryan said.

Sarah Thomas can be reached at sarah.m.thomas@gmail.com.