A New Jersey high school is expecting hundreds of people to attend a vigil being held Tuesday night for two former star athletes found dead outside a crashed car off a highway in Mahwah Monday morning.
Don Bosco Prep graduates Sam Cali and Leo Vagias were discovered outside a blue Lexus in the woods off the southbound side of Interstate 287 at mile marker 62.5 by a Department of Transportation worker, state police said.
The 19-years-olds were best friends, close since the first grade growing up in Towaco, according to those who knew them.
"They were a pair, everywhere together and they were like twins," said Alex Cucciniello. "It gives you peace to know that in that horrible moment they had each other."
Cali and Vagias were standout student athletes while attending the private, all-boys' Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, and were both playing Division I sports in college. Vagias was voted the best kicker in New Jersey while he attended Don Bosco, and was playing for the University of Rhode Island. Cali was an elite wrestler for Rutgers.
For all their sports accomplishments, it's their smiles everyone remembers.
"They really lit up a room," said principal John Stanczak. "They were super guys to have around, they brought great joy to everything they did, and a lot of happiness to the school."
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"They really embodied what Don Bosco is all about: hard work, compassion, caring for their teammates," said athletic director Brian McAleer.
Friends of the college sophomores said they had both come home for Father's Day to spend time with their families. Friends said Cali and Vagias went to Buffalo Wild Wings at the Palisades Center Mall Sunday night to watch the NBA championship game.
It's unclear when they left, or when they crashed, since the car veered off into a wooded area and wasn't discovered until Monday morning. State police said Vagias, who was driving, was wearing his seatbelt, but Cali was not wearing a seatbelt in the passenger seat.
State police said they're investigating all possibilities for what caused the crash, including mechanical failure, alcohol, speeding and an animal in the road.
The Vagias and Cali families were said to be so distraught they likely will not attend the prayer vigil Tuesday. It is open to the community and starts at 7 p.m.
