Grossane: D'Alessandro "Well-Liked and Respected"

Levittown superintendent Dr. James Grossane paid tribute to Anthony D'Alessandro in an official statement released by the district Thursday.

The 16-year-old Division Avenue High School student was killed late Wednesday night after being struck by a car traveling westbound along Hempstead Turnpike.

Dr. Grossane praised D'Alessandro's spirit, calling him a popular figure among students and teachers alike.

"The Levittown School District administration and Board of Education would like to extend its deepest condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Division Avenue High School sophomore Anthony D’Alessandro during this difficult time," Grossane said.

"Anthony was well-liked and respected by students throughout the school and thrived within the high school community. Staff and faculty enjoyed having him as a student due to his polite nature and outgoing character."

Grossane said that grief counselors will be available to students at Division and at Wisdom Lane Middle School when school reopens from spring break on April 16.

He also suggested to parents that they talk to their children about the dangers of crossing Hempstead Turnpike.

Students gathered at the spot where D'Alessandro was struck Wednesday and constructed a memorial in his memory.

D'Alessandro is the second Levittown high school student in as many years to be killed on Hempstead Turnpike. Nineteen-year-old Peter Thearle was killed at the intersection of Hempstead Turnpike and Gardiners Avenue last June.