More than 100 people huddled along the median of Old Baltimore Pike in Bear on Sunday, bracing against the frigid air and falling snowflakes to commemorate Terrance Newton, the beloved Wilmington educator who had crashed in the same spot only nine days before.
Newton passed away on March 21 from injuries sustained in the motorcycle crash.
On Sunday afternoon, intricate rows of parked motorcycles and cars flanked the roadway leading up to the candlelight vigil, which was held on the road in front of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Members of various motorcycle clubs, including the Thunderguards, showed up in helmets, denim vests and leather jackets that were each embossed with their clubs’ logos.
‘His name is Newt’
The unanimous, thundering voice of the crowd could be heard shouting Newton’s well-known nickname — “Newt” — as some attendees shed tears and others cradled the small, flickering candles.
“His name is Newt,” the crowd boomed as they stood along the double yellow lines of the road.
BELOVED EDUCATOR:Beloved Wilmington educator Terrance Newton remembered for forging relationships with kids
On Friday, teachers and faculty at schools across the district wore blue-and-white shirts printed with the famous phrase to show their support for Warner Elementary School, where Newton was the principal. The halls of the school resonated with the same phrase as Warner students chanted it on a recent school day.
Newton was raised on Wilmington’s East Side and became a favorite educator and advocate for many of the city’s students. During his time as principal of Warner, he ushered in numerous programs and initiatives aimed at helping the kids, including a food pantry and a barbershop where he would give kids haircuts.
WARNER BARBERSHOP:Wilmington principal uses makeshift barbershop to bond with students, one cut at a time
Newton also helped coordinate annual toy drives where members of the Thunderguards Motorcycle Club would provide presents to students and money to parents to help struggling families pay for food and rent.
While his work focused on Warner, his impact was felt far beyond the school’s walls, extending across the city and state. News of Newton’s death was met with an outpouring of prayers and testaments to his legacy across social media and alongside statements from city and state leaders that emphasized his impact.
BACKGROUND:Beloved Wilmington educator Terrance Newton dies after head injuries from motorcycle crash
Newton was riding a 2020 Harley-Davidson west on Old Baltimore Pike from the area of Christiana Road late on March 18 when Delaware State Police said he tried to pass a vehicle ahead of him.
As he moved to pass the vehicle, Newton’s Harley struck the raised concrete median. Newton, who police said was wearing a helmet, was ejected from the motorcycle.
Paramedics arriving at the scene found Newton in the road and he was treated for a head injury before he was taken to Christiana Hospital in critical condition, according to officials.
Newton died a few days later.
‘America’s principal’
In Bear, following remarks and a moment of silence, vigil attendees broke out into roaring conversations, sharing words and laughter as music spilled out of the parked cars nearby.
These demonstrations of camaraderie and love were all due to Newton, according to John Robinson, a longtime friend and fraternity brother of Newton who spoke at the vigil. Robinson described Newton’s death as not only a loss for the city, but also a loss for the state and the nation.
“What we lost here was America’s principal,” Robinson said. “All the love you see out here was embodied in one person — in Terrance.”
Robinson emphasized the numerous programs and initiatives that Newton spearheaded at Warner and described the tremendous impact he had on his students. Robinson helped coordinate the toy drives with Newton at the school.
During the gathering, members of the Thunderguards described how they want to honor Newton by continuing their annual event and furthering his work at the school, including initiatives to lower suspensions and expulsions.
A Thunderguards Christmas:Thunderguards deliver Christmas gifts to family in need at Warner Elementary School
On Wednesday, Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki and Red Clay Consolidated School District Superintendent Dorrell Green announced that the city is renaming a portion of West 18th Street, which runs parallel to the school, as Dr. Terrance Newton Way, alongside the naming of Warner’s library after Newton.
“[Newton] was a passionate advocate and inspirational leader who transformed young lives and, by extension, our larger city community for the better,” Purzycki said in a written statement.
A public viewing will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. on April 5 at Ezion Fair Baptist Church, 1400 B St., Wilmington.
His farewell service will be April 6 at the Chase Center on the Riverfront, 815 Justison St., Wilmington. The viewing will begin at 8 a.m., followed by services at 11 a.m.
As the crowd began to dissipate, the sound of the newly awakened, growling motorcycles could be heard rumbling down the road. A bouquet of blue-and-white balloons, which are Warner’s school colors, floated lazily in the frosty air as they watched the remaining attendees relish in each other’s company — savoring the conversation and laughter that was inspired by Newton.
Contact the reporter at jcastaneda1@delawareonline.com or connect with him on Twitter @joseicastaneda.
