Greenport man killed in car crash
Victim suffered from C.P.; had dreams of Harvard
3 comments below
Michael Brown, who was killed in a car crash Tuesday morning, at his 2008 graduation from Greenport High School.
Michael Brown, a 2008 graduate of Greenport High School, was set to graduate in 2012, according to his Facebook page. He was born with cerebral palsy and used a wheelchair some of the time, although he could walk.
Despite his troubles, teachers said, he never felt sorry for himself.
Police say Mr. Brown was driving a 2000 Ford Focus south on Route 63 near Wildwood Lake Bowl about 7:40 a.m. when he entered the Route 51 intersection and was struck by a northbound Suffolk Transit bus, which was being driven by John Bravata, 56, of Ronkonkoma. Mr. Brown died at the scene.
Hundreds of people have since called him an inspiration on two Facebook fan pages dedicated to his memory.
In the 2005 article, Mr. Brown told the school newspaper that he had nothing but love for the people in Greenport.
"I'm happy people think of me as their inspiration. I look at all the students as inspiration," he told The Quill.
Greenport Superintendent Michael Comanda said that although Mr. Brown had been out of the school for a year and a half, students and faculty were still shaken over his loss. Mr. Comanda said students would be offered grief counseling as Mr. Brown had befriended many students and teachers over the years.
"He was a very special, unique young man who gave of himself," Mr. Comanda said. "The guy could brighten your darkest day."
Scott Loper of Mattituck, who was on his way to class at the college's eastern campus, was several cars behind Mr. Brown, waiting to merge with Route 51's southbound lanes, when the crash happened.
He said Mr. Brown had attempted to make a right onto Route 51 when the bus, which he estimated was traveling at least 50 mph, hit him. The cars in front of him stopped and a few people began dialing 911, he said. "People were just sitting at the stop sign because they didn't know what to do," he said.
There were 15 people on the bus including the driver, none of whom were seriously injured. The passengers were taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead and Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in East Patchogue, Southampton police said.
Route 51 was closed for about four hours during the investigation. No charges have been filed.
vchinese@timesreview.com
Excerpted from Michael Brown's 2008 senior yearbook:
Quote:
"With courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity." -- Keshavan Nair
Favorite School Memory:
When the boys basketball team went to Glens Falls.
Will:
Mr. Mac -- I leave my crown because you are the King of Greenport High School. Ms. Taylor -- I say "keep you hair tight. Karre Brown all the way!
Mr. Comanda -- stop hating on my suits because you know I'm lookin' good come prom time.
JG -- you got all my love.
Ms. Douglass -- your cinnamon swirl cakes are the bomb yo:
Ryan Creighton -- many more trips to Glens Falls. Bring us back the championship.
To the rest of my class -- many get-togethers at King Mike's and the thought, "If I can make it, so can you."
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3 comments found
i was very upset : 4/20/2010
i was very upset
when iheard
that you died
i miss you
and your in gods
hands
bye
Mike Brown : 2/18/2010
I'd known mike since i was little, and i was so upset when i heard that he was killed. What had happened to him was a horrible thing, and i am going to miss him very much.. R.I.P. MIKE, U WILL BE MISSED VERY VERY MUCH!! GREENPORT HIGH SCHOOL WILL MISS U VERY MUCH!
Mike : 2/8/2010
Thank you for this beautiful write up about my brother. He really was something amazing. It's crazy how we go on with life not ever knowings its outcome. I'd do anything to have him with me, but I know he is better where he is. Someone told me over the last few days that Mike was a movent, and I'd get to witness it myself which I did. I'd also like to thank you, the Suffolk Times for saying the real story and not just running with hear say. It means a lot to my family and I to clear his name. So once again thank you.
