STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Family and friends are gathering on Monday to mourn the loss of a 16-year-old former Staten Islander who died in a fiery crash last week in Jackson Township, N.J., according to media reports.
Michael Gioia, affectionately called Mikey by his friends and family, was a student at Jackson Liberty High School. Born and raised on Staten Island, the teen moved to Jackson Township about seven years ago, according to his obituary.
“He was a leader and a great friend who lit up every room he entered with aspirations of helping people as a counselor and therapist,” according to his obituary.
Gioia was a member of an American Youth Football team and a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers. For entertainment, he listened to the music of Drake, Bruno Mars and Travis Scott and played fantasy football and video games, according to his obituary.
He loved the family’s cat, Chloe, and two dogs Rocket and Minnie. The stylish teen was known for wearing cologne and designer kicks and buying his beverages at Starbucks.
Gioia is survived by his parents, Danielle Gioia (James) and Anthony Gioia (Quianda); siblings, Santino, Giovanni, Anthony Jr., Alexandria and Jennie; his godmother, Michele Frantzeskos, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation is Monday from noon to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. with a 7 p.m. service at Oliverie Funeral Home 125 S. Cooks Bridge Road in Jackson.
Police detail fiery crash
The crash occurred at about 6 p.m. Wednesday after a Ford F-150 pickup truck traveling eastbound on East Veterans Highway crossed into the westbound lanes near West Lake Court, according to CBS Philadelphia.
The truck collided with Gioia’s Nissan Altima, which burst into flames upon impact. The teen was transported by township EMS to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, where he succumbed to his injuries, Jackson Township Police Chief Matthew Kunz told CBS Philadelphia.
An 18-year-old girl driving the Ford and her front-seat passenger were taken to a hospital with minor injuries, according to CBS Philadelphia.
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