In Loving Memory of Tealah Inez McNair...

Tealah Inez McNair, 14, of Vineland, New Jersey was killed in a tragic car accident on Friday, July 27, 2007 around 10:53pm.

The driver lost control of his Honda Accord after traveling over 40 mph over the speed limit, and struck a utility pole, according to police. The force of the collision spun the car around until it finally came to a rest slamming into a large pine tree, causing the car to burst into flames.

Tealah, was seated in the back seat of the car. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The front seat passenger was put in a coma, and the other passenger in the back seat was flown to the hospital after receiving severe burns, and many other serious injuries.

They are both doing good, and are expected to make a full recovery. The driver walked away unharmed, and is currently charged with first-degree aggrated manslaughter; death by auto; four counts of aggravated assault; three charges of being an unlicensed driver involved in a crash; and two counts of child endangerment. 

                                                      **UPDATE: September 5th 2008**
Rafael Rosado, a 19-year-old man whose reckless driving resulted in the July 2007 death of a teenage passenger in a fiery car crash in Vineland was sentenced Friday to 3 years in state prison.

Superior Court Judge Walter Marshall sentenced Rosado, who pleaded guilty in June to vehicular homicide and two counts of aggravated assault by auto, to a prison sentence which will require him to serve 85 percent of his prison sentence before being eligible for parole.

Assistant Prosecutor Mike Ostrowski said in about two years, Rosado will have completed his sentence.

“He will have the opportunity to live his life, go to school, fall in love,” he said.

Ostrowski added that those are opportunities McNair will never have.

Rosado, was charged with numerous offenses relating to what prosecutors have described as a horrific July 27, 2007, accident on South Spring Road.

The accident occurred after Rosado was speeding in a 40 mph zone and lost control of his vehicle.

The vehicle hit a tree and burst into flames, killing McNair and seriously injuring two other teenagers.

Rosado was not under the influence of alcohol or any other drugs when the accident occurred, but was driving with a provisional driver's license, which forbids new drivers from driving with juvenile passengers who are not members of the driver's household. Because of this and the speeding, prosecutors deemed his behavior as reckless.

“This was not a plea agreement reached lightly by the state,” Ostrowski said Friday, adding that prison time was necessary to send a message about the dangers of reckless driving.

McNair's family, present at Friday's sentencing, said in court that they hold no ill will toward Rosado.

“I hope he takes this time and thinks about what he's done, work on it and be a better person because of it,” said aunt Olivia McNair. “The decisions you make ... there are consequences. There are good consequences and there are bad consequences. I hope he learns to make better decisions.”

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Tealah was born on October 5, 1992 at Memorial Hospital in Philadelphia, PA to Anthony McNair of Philadelphia, PA and Gilda Worlds of Decatur, IL.

She was a member of the first graduating class of Wallace Middle School. And was due to start her freshman year at Vineland High School in the fall.

She had a strong love for dancing, singing and most importantly her family & friends.

She was selected by People to People to go on a tour overseas, where she visited Germany, Paris, Spain & Switzerland. She even received a commendation of academics from President George W. Bush. In the 14yrs of her life here on earth, Tealah experienced what most could not acheive in an entire lifetime.

She was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, cousin & friend!

She is survived by her father Anthony, mother Gilda, sister Aja, nephew Azan, grandmother Elease, many aunts, uncles, cousins, family & friends.

 

 

 

www.myspace.com/riptealah