A community continues to mourn the tragic deaths of a local teacher and his 5-year-old daughter.
A community continues to mourn three days after the tragic deaths of a local teacher and his 5-year-old daughter, who were killed in Monday afternoon's horrific crash on the New Jersey Turnpike.
Tim O'Donnell, 48, was a beloved science teacher at County Prep High School in Jersey City, and a former high school softball coach. His 5-year-old daughter, Bridget, is being remembered for her "delightfully mischievous" and "incredibly compassionate" nature.
The driver -- Scott Hahn, 36, of Hamilton -- was charged with two counts of aggravated manslaughter and two counts of vehicular homicide, and faces up to 60 years in prison.
Here's a recap, in reverse chronological order, of this week's tragic events:
THURSDAY, FEB. 25
In an heart-wrenching interview with The Jersey Journal, devastated widow Pam O'Donnell recalls her final date with her husband, his passion for science and the struggle of picking up the pieces after the fatal crash.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 24
Funeral arrangements for the father and daughter, both of Bayonne, are announced for Saturday at St. John Paul II church in Bayonne at 11 a.m. A visitation is scheduled for Friday at Sweeney Funeral Home in Bayonne from 4 to 9 p.m.
The Jersey Journal obtains Hahn's driving record, which indicates that his license has been suspended 28 times and that he has had 13 violations.
The criminal complaint detailing the charges and accusations Hahn faces is released shortly before his 3 p.m. court hearing. According to the document, witnesses said Hahn was speeding and weaving before the collision and had also hit a barrier.
Soon after, Hahn makes his first court appearance on the charges in Central Judicial Processing via video link from Hudson County jail, where bail is maintained at $1 million despite Hahn's attorney asking for an $800,000 reduction. It is revealed that Hahn admitted to police he had taken 10 Adderall pills and hadn't slept in the 26 hours that led up to the crash.
During the court hearing, Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Mike D'Andrea reveals Hahn was allegedly traveling between 50 and 70 mph before the crash.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority says the agency will consider installing a barrier at the toll plaza but points out that O'Donnell's vehicle sustained significant rear-end damage prior to crashing into another vehicle in the eastbound lanes of the roadway.
TUESDAY, FEB. 23
State Police release the names of the victims just before 10 a.m., as well as the initial details from the investigation -- most notable of which that O'Donnell's car was rear-ended at the toll plaza and then thrust into oncoming traffic in the eastbound lanes of the Hudson County Extension.
As school lets out at around 2:30 p.m., students at the devastated County Prep High School react to the tragedy. "Students were crying, teachers were crying. Everyone was really upset," one says.
Meanwhile, State Troopers take Hahn into custody at JCMC in the afternoon and bring him to a State Police station in Newark. Shortly after he is led out of the hospital, State Police announce Hahn has been charged with two counts of manslaughter and two counts of vehicular homicide. The Hudson County Prosecutor's Office later clarifies that Hahn is charged with two counts of aggravated manslaughter, a more serious offense, as well as the vehicular homicide counts.
MONDAY, FEB. 22
Behind the wheel of a 1998 Mercedes-Benz, Hahn rear-ends O'Donnell's 2001 Chevrolet Malibu at the 14C toll plaza in Jersey City at 3:19 p.m., propelling O'Donnell's vehicle into a van traveling east on the other side of the roadway.
O'Donnell is pronounced dead at the scene at 3:41 p.m., while Bridget was taken to Jersey City Medical Center-Barnabas Health. The girl was pronounced dead at 3:43 p.m. Hahn is also taken to JCMC, where he remains for one night.
While State Police don't yet release the names of the victims, word of the tragedy quickly spreads, prompting former students and others to post tributes to O'Donnell and his daughter on social media later that night.