Lake George boy killed by motorcycle remembered as ‘a good friend to all’
Lake George Central School District mourns 8-year-old boy Quinton Delgadillo who, along with James Persons, 38, was killed when a motorcycle driven by Anthony J. Futia crashed into pedestrians on a bike trail
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LAKE GEORGE — A child described as “well-liked, super polite and loved by all” is being mourned by the community and the local school district after he and a 38-year-old man were killed on Sunday afternoon when a motorcycle careened off of Route 9 and into a group coming off the Warren County Bikeway.
Lake George Elementary School Principal James Conway said 8-year-old Quinton Delgadillo “was a good friend to all of his classmates.”
Superintendent Doug Huntley posted a message on the Lake George Central School District’s website saying that the death “is difficult and challenging for all of us.”
“Coping with the loss of a child, friend, and classmate may be one of the hardest challenges that many of us will face,” Huntley wrote. “During this time, as our school community processes this tragic news and copes with grief, the school district will offer counseling and bereavement support services to all of our students and staff.”
With the child at the time of the crash were James Persons, 38, who also died, and Delgadillo’s mother, Jasmine Luellen, 30, who was in stable condition at Albany Medical Center Hospital as of Monday afternoon.
State Police said they are still investigating the incident that occurred at about 3:40 p.m. on Sunday when Anthony J. Futia, 33, of Albany was traveling north on Route 9 at allegedly a high speed. His motorcycle went off of the shoulder, and onto the bikeway where Delgadillo, Persons and Luellen were with a group of six pedestrians. Three other children who were with Persons and Luellen were not injured.
Police said Futia is in critical condition at Albany Med and that charges against him are still being considered.
The path is near Lake George Expedition Park, formerly Magic Forest. Danna Ellsworth, owner of the park, said she knew the family.
“It’s heart-wrenching,” she said. “It was totally unnecessary what happened. This is something that never needed to happen.”
Ellsworth said she could not say more because the crash is still under investigation.
A spokesman for Warren County said its Department of Public Works would review safety measures in that area of the bike trial, noting it was a common practice whenever there is a serious incident on county-owned property.
The crash came a day after the end of Americade, a 5-day rally in Lake George that draws about 50,000 motorcyclists from around the country. Christian Dutcher, the director of Americade, said that Futia was not a registered participant in the festival. He called Sunday’s crash “a terrible tragedy.”
“Like everyone else (we) are shocked and heartbroken for the family of the victims,” Dutcher said in an email. “We join with everyone in our community in sending our deepest condolences to the families and friends of all who were lost or injured.”
Delgadillo was a third grader in Ashley Gershen’s class. Huntley said that counselors will be available to support children and staff who are struggling with the loss of Delgadillo.
“I encourage parents and guardians to talk with your children about this tragedy,” Huntley said in his statement. “Discussing thoughts and feelings about this situation is important in helping your child work through her or his grief, shock, confusion, and sadness. … Our deepest condolences go out to Quinton’s family, friends, teachers, and everyone who knew him.”