Friends, Family Gather To Remember Victims Of Maplewood, N.J. Crash

MAPLEWOOD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- There was an outpouring of sorrow in New Jersey on Thursday for the victims of a deadly car accident.

The alleged drunk driver is behind bars, but friends and family gathered for a vigil in Maplewood, CBS 2's Andrea Grymes reported.

Dozens joined together in grief, remembering two young men whose lives were cut short at an intersection by an accused drunk driver.

The shock and profound sadness was overwhelming at Thursday afternoon's prayer vigil for loved ones of 16-year old Tamir Harry and 21-year-old Kervin Noel. The friends were ejected from their smashed car and killed in a horrific accident that authorities say was caused by a drunk driver.

"He was like a brother to me," one of the mourners said about Harry.

That man, along with many others, gathered at the intersection where the crash happened – Essex Avenue and South 4th Street in Maplewood – a quiet, residential area that became the scene of a nightmare at around 9 p.m. on Tuesday.

"Tamir was like a really funny guy. Smart," friend Calisha Caine said.

Prosecutors said 20-year-old Harrison Allen was drunk and speeding when he hit a Nissan Sentra carrying four people, including Harry and Noel. The two others in the car, Harry's brother, Tahsir, and Rodney Lovius, had to be pried out of the completely smashed vehicle. Authorities said they remain hospitalized in serious condition.

The Harry brothers' aunt expressed her gratitude to the community on Thursday.

"Thank you on behalf of my sister-in-law for the outpouring of support," Marla Williams said.

The District Attorney's Office said Allen, the alleged drunk driver, is the son of the Montclair fire chief. Allen was treated and released from the hospital. Neighbors in nearby Livingston told CBS 2 he's a good kid.

Allen remains in jail on $50,000 bail. He faces several charges, including two counts of vehicular homicide. A spokesperson told Grymes if he does not make bail Thursday night, he will be arraigned at 9 a.m. Friday. If he does make bail, she said he'll be arraigned after he's indicted.

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