Philadelphia Newlyweds Killed In North Carolina Crash
By Cleve Bryan
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A tragic accident in North Carolina claimed the life of two newlyweds from Philadelphia.
Family and friends are mourning the unexpected loss.
"Everyone is overwhelmed, everyone is astonished," said Michael Bodenberger, who has lost his best friend Will Reid.
The two started out at Phillipsburg High School in New Jersey and both ended up in Philadelphia. Reid became a teacher at People for People Charter School.
"It was his passion to help people," said Bodenberger.
Through Teach for America, Reid met Jamie Soukup. She was originally from Washington state and both were working on Masters degrees at the University of Pennsylvania. The couple soon fell in love.
"When he really wanted something you could tell and I knew that he really wanted to be with Jamie and he didn't hesitate in making that happen," said Bodenberger.
On May 26th the Reids tied the knot and it wasn't long before they found out a new addition to the family was on the way.
"They showed me the pictures of the ultrasound so it was really cool to see. They were so psyched, they were so happy to have a child on the way," said Bodenberger.
But Sunday, the unimaginable – taking a car service to the airport in Asheville, North Carolina, the Reids were killed in a single vehicle crash.
Their bright future together lasted less than three months.
"Complete joy and happiness, that's what I've been trying to do during this difficult time is to look back at how happy they were together," said Bodenberger.
Will Reid's parents asked Bodenberger to talk with Eyewitness News – they say the world needs to savor every moment they can with people like Will and Jamie Reid.
"As much as this sucks, this is an opportunity to continue bettering myself and pushing myself forward because I know that's what he would want," said Bodenberger.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 17, at 12 p.m. at the Doyle-Devlin Funeral Home in Phillipsburg.
Donations can be made to the William and Jamie Reid Scholarship Fund for the Valedictorian at Phillipsburg High School, 200 Hillcrest Boulevard, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865, with checks payable to Phillipsburg High School.
