Funeral Service Held For Beloved Wilmington Principal Killed In Motorcycle Crash
WILMINGTON, Del. (CBS) -- A memorial service was held Wednesday in Delaware for a beloved school principal. He was killed last month in a motorcycle crash.
The funeral for Dr. Terrance Newton was held at the Chase Center, so they could accommodate the large crowd.
The funeral was live-streamed. There were hundreds of people inside the Chase Center to give their goodbyes.
"Every time, regardless of what happens, he's always there," family friend Kelvin Dumpson said. "He was a very humble guy."
Newton, or "Newt" as he was known to many, was the principal of Warner Elementary School and was a husband, father and educator. He died late last month after suffering injuries in a motorcycle crash.
The 47-year-old was thrown from his motorcycle after trying to pass a vehicle on Old Baltimore Pike. His tire hit the concrete median, causing him to lose control.
Gov. John Carney made remarks at the funeral.
"The impact he made was felt beyond the walls of warner school," Carney said. "He touched so many children."
CBS3 spoke with Delaware's lieutenant governor about the lasting impact he had on education.
"Newt was one of a kind, an incredible man, who not only was a leader in our academic setting, in our school system, but as you can tell in the community this is a funeral today that we are celebrating a life that is irreplaceable," Lt. Gov Bethany Hall-Long said. "I know he would want us to gather today and to continue what he championed, which was really uplifting our most at-risk children, making sure no matter what your zip code that your child had the best education."
Newton was a member of the Thunderguards Motorcycle Club and a lot of the people at the funeral are also members of the club.
Newton's casket will be pulled by a motorcycle carriage.
Also, Warner Elementary and HB Dupont Middle Schools were closed Wednesday. Newtown was the vice principal of Dupont before being named principal at Warner.
To honor Newton, Wilmington is renaming the street in front of Warner Elementary after him.