CAPE MAY – Friends and family of 17-year-old Hayden Schofield, of Villas, gathered on Saturday, Jan. 18, on the Washington Street Mall for prayers and a bike ride to commemorate the teen, who died in an accident Jan. 14.
About 60 riders and others turned out for the event, which began with a prayer remembering Schofield and with sharing memories of the teen. Then they got on their bikes to follow a truck carrying a flag that said, “In Memory of Hayden Ride On,” and rode to a few of his favorite spots. The Cape May Police Department accompanied the group as a safety precaution.
According to Alison Graham, her son, Gabe Hallam, 15, was the main organizer of the event, mostly via social media. Hallam and Schofield were biking friends. The ride ended at Wawa on Texas Avenue because that’s where Schofield’s mother would drop him off and pick him up. A group then rode to the scene of the accident, where they placed the flag.
The family has scheduled services for Saturday, Jan. 25.
In a press release from the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, at approximately 11:35 a.m. Jan. 14 the Lower Township Police Department responded to a 911 call about a collision involving a township trash truck and a dirt bike on Bayshore Road near Atlantic Avenue in Villas.
Members of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Crash Investigation Unit were assigned to assist the Lower Township Police Department, which is normal procedure when there is a fatality, according to the department.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the trash truck was traveling northbound on Bayshore Road and began making a right-hand turn onto east Atlantic Avenue when it and a dirt bike operated by Schofield collided, with the youth sustaining fatal injuries. Schofield was traveling southbound in the northbound shoulder of the roadway.
The truck driver stated that while attempting the turn, he observed the dirt bike approaching at a high rate of speed and attempted to stop. Despite his effort, the dirt bike collided head-on with the truck, coming to rest in front of the vehicle. Witness interviews corroborated the driver’s account, indicating the truck was traveling approximately 5 mph and came to a complete stop at the time of the impact.
Investigators conducted a scene investigation, including photographic documentation and use of a scanner to capture data for further analysis. Surveillance footage from a nearby camera depicted the moment of the collision, which corroborated the driver’s and witnesses’ observations.
The investigation is ongoing. Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland urges anyone with information about the accident to contact the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135, anonymously through the tip line at CMCPO.tips, or through the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-889-3597.
A GoFundMe page to help the family with funeral costs has been started by Kristina Conroy, whose children were close friends with Schofield. “He frequented our home often throughout the years,” she said. “He was like another one of my kids to me. It’s so sad to hear of his passing.”
Conroy said she was asked by some of Schofield’s former teachers to start the GoFundMe as a way to make sure he “gets the proper service.” More than $11,000 has been donated toward a $16,000 goal.
“The community has come together during a time when one of our own needs our help,” she said.
Born March 15, 2007, in Court House, Schofield was the son of Rebecca Smith and Stephen Schofield, of Villas. He recently graduated from Coastal Prep High School in Court House.
According to his online obituary, he was a “shy, quiet and sweet child” when he was younger. “Eventually he made friends and came out of his shell,” the obituary said. “He was outgoing, smart, and kind.
“Hayden had a passion for riding and racing dirt bikes, Motocross, and SE bike riding. His favorite color was always blue, and he loved spending time with his friends and girlfriend Giavanna Griffiths.”
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his paternal grandmother, Ann Nichols; his uncles, Joshua Smith, Jacob Rinier and Rocky Pellerito; his aunts, Jessika Smith and Christa Pellerito; his cousins, Savanna Smith, Mckenzie Dallin, Jaycee and Jacob Rinier Jr., Gianna Smith, Justin Smith, and Mia and Dominic Pellerito. He was predeceased by his maternal grandmother, Francine Smith.
Family and friends are invited to pay their respects from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at Evoy Funeral Home, 3218 Bayshore Road, North Cape May. A celebration of Schofield’s life will immediately follow at 3:30. Interment will be private.
Please visit EvoyFuneralHome.com to share a memory of Schofield.
Herald Content Marketing Coordinator/Reporter Collin Hall contributed to this report.
Contact the reporter, Karen Knight, at kknight@cmcherald.com.
