Community gathers to release balloons in honor of brothers killed in Newark crash
Lamar and Darryl McKnight were among six people killed in the crash last Friday night on Raymond Boulevard.
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A community gathered to remember two brothers who were among six victims killed in a crash in Newark over the weekend. The brothers were reportedly in their 30s.
Dozens gathered for a balloon release on the football field at Union City High School where Lamar and Darryl McKnight played as teenagers and later coached.
"Just accepting the death of two children, two firstborn children, is definitely hard,” their mother, Natasha McKnight told News 12. "This gives me closure to see so much love, so much love for two young men who haven't really lived life, a full life."
Lamar McKnight was the assistant coach at Union City High before becoming head coach at Hudson Catholic.
Union City head coach Wilber Valdez organized the balloon release.
RELEASE: Investigation launched into car crash that left 6 people dead in Newark
"[Lamar’s] dream was to be a head coach and he had one season, and it was a really good season. It's a shame because he was going to be great,” Valdez said.
Valdez says he watched the brothers grow from 12-year-olds who were passionate about football to leaders who left an impact.
"I watched them develop as positive role models and positive figures for these kids,” Valdez says.
Darryl Williams, father of the victims, told News 12, "They touched a lot of people and I'm glad to know they lived their lives and they will continue to live their lives through us."
Family and friends say the brothers will be remembered as men who inspired, on and off the field.
The McKnight brothers were among six people killed in the crash last Friday night on Raymond Boulevard. Authorities say the car was traveling toward the ramp leading to the Route 1-9 overpass at the Pulaski Highway when it veered off, became airborne and then hit a support column.
Assistant coach Brad Cunningham was also killed.
