Close-knit Burlington City mourns teen
BURLINGTON CITY – Antwan L. Timbers Jr. was just finishing up his sophomore year at Burlington City High School. He had gotten a job at a local restaurant and was excited about starting work over the weekend.
He had his eye on a future in the military.
SEE: SJ teen struck and killed
On Monday, Timbers' family explained the 17-year-old was likely heading home from a nearby store early Sunday morning with a friend when he was struck and killed by a passing motorist along Route 130.
The pair were on the grassy area off the roadway near the sidewalk when a car, reportedly driven by Ricardo J. Patterson III, left the roadway and struck Timbers, police said.
The teen was pronounced dead at the scene.
Patterson, 42, of Willingboro, was charged with reckless driving and driving under the influence and was later released.
The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office has said the investigation into the deadly incident will continue and they “will determine whether criminal charges are warranted against Patterson for his actions.” The results of toxicology tests performed on blood drawn from Patterson will be among the determining factors.
Nearly 20 family members and loved ones gathered at City Hall Monday afternoon, along with members of the Burlington City Police Department, representatives from the school district and high school to speak about Timbers, who they say was a young man with a bright future ahead of him.
His father Antwan Timbers Sr. spoke for the family, which included Timbers Jr.’s mother Angela Conner, sister, and grandmother, among others. There were hugs, tears and a strong showing of support.
Timbers said his son had gotten a job at the Curtin’s Wharf restaurant. He was supposed to start work Sunday — "he was excited about that," his father said — but never got that chance.
“During this time, we’re in great grief,” Timbers said. “Antwan was a huge part of all of our lives. He meant a lot to us. He was a cousin, a great brother, a son, a nephew, grandson, great-grandson. He was really stepping in the right direction of young adulthood. Like they said earlier, he was looking forward to a career in the military. He was in the Junior ROTC.
“It’s just a tragic loss. It’s one of the worst things … you never can imagine losing one of your own. I think back — just the last words I told him was I love him. I really appreciate the fact that I was able to say that. All of the people you see behind me, he was loved by all of them. This is a tight group, a tight family and a great community.”
A makeshift memorial was set up Monday with balloons and American flags near the corner where Timbers died. The utility pole Patterson's vehicle struck after hitting Timbers was repaired Sunday.
Lt. John Fine said Burlington City is a small community of close-knit people, who can all feel the effects of the loss of one of their own.
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“As a longtime police officer here in Burlington City, what I can tell you is that we do have a small town,” Fine said. “It’s 9,000 people, three square miles. Once tragedy strikes in Burlington City, we stick together. In Burlington City, it’s called Blue Devil pride. I’m proud to be a part of that. We stand with the Timbers family and we will stand united with them and with our community to get through this tragedy.”
Police Chief Alan Snow, Burlington City Mayor Barry Conaway and school district officials also offered condolences to the Timbers' family and friends.
“Today, tomorrow and the rest of their lives for Mr. Antwan Timbers Jr. there will always be a concern and there will always be a hollow heart for him,” the mayor said.
“The Burlington City High School family is so deeply saddened by the loss of one of our students," Burlington City High School Principal James Flynn said.
"Antwan was a great friend to many. He was well-liked and greatly cared for by our staff. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Timbers family.
“During a recent conversation I had with Antwan, he mentioned how he wanted to finish the year so strong and be a student leader in the Junior ROTC summer camp. … He was looking into the military as a career. He was very excited about his future. Antwan had set many goals for himself for this year and next year. It is a devastating loss to all of our staff and students.”
District Superintendent Patricia Doloughty said crisis response teams and counselors were immediately made available for students.
“The entire City of Burlington Public Schools family is saddened,” Doloughty said. “He was a fine young man with a bright future.”
“All we can do is grieve and go through this process and hope every day gets better,” Timbers Sr. said.
Celeste E. Whittaker; (856) 486-2437; cwhittaker@gannettnj.com