UPDATE:New Brunswick High School Vice Principal Tyrone Harrison remembered as supporter of athletics, academics

NEW BRUNSWICK - A New Brunswick High School vice principal was killed Saturday when he was struck by a car involved in a drag race while walking along Stelton Road in Piscataway.

Tyrone Harrison, 49, of Somerset, was killed at approximately 9:17 p.m. near Ethel Avenue, according to a news release from Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey and Piscataway Police Chief Scott Cartmell.

Authorities are actively searching for information regarding individuals involved in the drag race. The driver of the car that hit Harrison fled the scene, the release said.

At the time of the impact, Harrison was walking from the Edison train station on route to a relative’s house. He was pronounced dead at the scene from the injuries he sustained, the release said.

An autopsy has been scheduled with the Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office.

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“As a school district, our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Harrison’s family. This obviously is a difficult time throughout New Brunswick Public Schools, and we’ve arranged for grief counselors to be available to students, faculty and staff,” said Aubrey Johnson, New Brunswick Public Schools superintendent.

Funeral arrangements for Harrison are being handled by the Plinton Curry Funeral Home with locations in Somerset and Westfield. The viewing for Harrison is scheduled for 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 15 at First Baptist Church Of Lincoln Gardens, 771 Somerset St., Somerset followed by an 11 a.m. Celebration of Life service at the church, located not far from New Brunswick High School.

“Mr. Harrison was an admired and respected member of our New Brunswick school community and will be remembered as a great educator and a dedicated positive role model who truly cared about each and every one of our students,” said New Brunswick Mayor Jim Cahill. “His tragic passing comes as a terrible sadness, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.”

The website for Project Exceed, a Metuchen-based personalized tutoring service aimed at helping young people transform goals into achievements, lists Harrison as a member of its board of trustees, and former math teacher, who has worked as a educator for nearly two decades.

"Throughout his (Harrison's) career, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting students who face life challenges, especially those for whom others have lost hope," the website reads under a brief biography and photo of Harrison.

Harrison was a star football player at Highland Park High School who went on play at Ohio State University where he played fullback.

"He always showed tremendous pride in Ohio State," said New Brunswick High School Athletic Director Craig Lowery. "He always would talk about playing in the horseshoe (the school's stadium), and how he wanted to have a connection and pipeline to Ohio State."

A preliminary investigation by Piscataway Officer Meredith Robbins and Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office Detective Jonathan Berman indicates multiple vehicles were drag racing when one of the vehicles, a 2003 Honda Accord, struck the victim near the intersection of Ethel Road before fleeing the scene.

Investigators believe the drivers are part of the “78 Imports,” a car club that participates in drag racing on public roads.

“Middlesex County currently has the highest rate of fatal car crashes in New Jersey. Law enforcement is working diligently every day to lower the number of these fatalities. This tragic death was entirely preventable and unnecessary. Drag racing on public roads is dangerous and irresponsible. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Harrison’s family and the school community,” Carey said in the release.

Piscataway Mayor Brian Wahler, who was aware of Harrison's death, expressed condolences to his family on Wednesday.

Wahler said drag racing has not been an issue on Stelton Road, noting the area is under construction as pedestrian safety improvements and intersection upgrades are being made by the county. He said it's hard to imagine drag racing in a construction zone with barricades and cones in the area.

He added the roadway, one of the most heavily traveled in Middlesex County, generally has a lot of traffic.

Police are urging anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Robbins at 732-562-7652 or Berman at 732-745-4328.

Staff Writer Suzanne Russell: 732-565-7335; srussell@mycentraljersey.com