West Point Officials ID Cadet Killed In Rollover Crash As Christopher Morgan Of West Orange, N.J.
WEST POINT, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Authorities have identified the cadet who was killed when a military vehicle rolled over at West Point on Thursday morning.
Cadet Christopher Morgan of West Orange, N.J. died in the accident. He was 22.
His father described him Friday as dedicated, loyal and loving.
Chris' father flipped through what he calls his "brag book," which contains endless newspaper articles and photos of his 22-year-old son's wrestling career.
He proudly showed CBS2's Meg Baker photos of his son in uniform as a West Point cadet.
"He had a bright smile... Lit up a room. Not just with the smile, but had the attitude behind it," his father told CBS2's Meg Baker.
His illustrious athletic and academic career led him to West Point, where he was set to graduate in 2020.
"I had him for 22 years. Nothing that has happened will take away what I have and what we shared with him. Nothing will take that. He's right here," his father said, touching his heart.
Morgan's high school coach says he was a young man with great character.
"Chris was the perfect kid. He saw the best in everything, and you saw it in everything he did," said West Orange wrestling coach and dean Stephan Zichella. "He was the hardest working kind. One of our best wrestlers, and everybody in this community is feeling the loss."
His legacy goes beyond the wrestling mat. Several students from this year's graduating class at West Orange will follow in his footsteps to West Point, including his younger brother.
"Being the first one from West Orange to go to West Point he opened doors for a number of us to go there," said his friend Vanessa Lettman. "His younger brother goes there. I know definitely he's an inspiration for him."
"Cadet Morgan was a valued member of the Corps of Cadets and will be missed by all. The entire community is ensuring that our cadets are being cared for physically, emotionally, and spiritually," said Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams of the U. S. Military Academy. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Morgan family."
Morgan was a law and legal studies major and was a member of the Army wrestling team.
"We are devastated by the news of Chris' passing. He was a talented, hardworking, and determined athlete who loved his sport," said Army West Point Wrestling Coach Kevin Ward. "Chris had an infectious personality with a smile big enough to fill any room, and a heart big enough to love everyone around him. He made everyone around him better and he will be greatly missed."
A vigil for Morgan will be held Friday night at West Point, and a memorial ceremony and funeral will be held next week.
Nearly two dozen others were injured in the rollover, which happened around 6:45 a.m. off Route 293 near Camp Natural Bridge, a summer training site for cadets.
Web Extra: West Point Officials Discuss Deadly Rollover Crash:
Army soldiers were driving the vehicle, which was loaded with cadets.
As for the 19 cadets and two soldiers injured, none of the injuries are considered life threatening. The injuries included a broken arm and cuts and bruises.
The cadets -- seniors -- were being transported to a routine land navigation training exercise, Williams said. They were driving over hilly, challenging terrain.
Veteran soldiers had been deployed from the Third Infantry to West Point to train the new cadets. Soldiers came from Fort Benning, Fort Bragg, Fort Campbell and Fort Stewart to participate in the training, CBS2's Jessica Moore reported.
