'Terrific Guy:' Ex-Westfield Sports Star Mourned After Crash

WESTFIELD, NJ - Respect was the first thing that came to mind when retired Montclair State Head Basketball Coach Tim Fiore thought of his former player Maurice Boatwright.

Boatwright was a Westfield resident and Westfield High School Class of '99 graduate who was killed Saturday in a double fatal accident when the tanker truck he was driving overturned on Route 18 in Colts Neck, killing him and his passenger.

"Mo, that is what we called him, was well respected by everyone and he respected everyone else in return," Fiore said. "I really can only say positive things about him.

Boatwright, 37, and his passenger, Julio Escoto-Sandoval, 21 of Perth Amboy, were both ejected from the cab of the truck as it overturned. Both were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Boatwright was a Blue Devils basketball and football player in High School and was the leading scorer on the 1998 and 1999 basketball teams, finishing with 257 and 329 points, with a high game of 38 against Plainfield in 1999. According to the Westfield School District, only Hall of Fame player Bob King scored more with 43 and 42 in a single game. His 586 career points is tied for 33rd all-time with Bob Haines ('59), and ahead of Hall of Fame players Jim Kane, Brian Ciemniecki and Dick Myers.

Boatwright was a backup split end on the 1998 football team that went 9-3 and played for a state sectional title against Morristown at Giants Stadium. He caught six passes for 78 yards that season, including four touchdowns from Quarterback Brandon Doerr.

"I heard the sad news from a couple of my former players today," Westfield Basketball Coach Kevin Everly said. "As I reflect back about Maurice I remember an intense competitor on the basketball court who never wanted to fail and who’s laugh and smile lit up the room."

Boatwright brought that laugh and smile with him to college. He was listed as a member of the Montclair State Red Hawks squad from 2001-2002.

Fiore, who spent 16 seasons helming the Red Hawks, fashioned a 233-149 record for a .610 winning percentage, which is the third-best among all Montclair State coaches who roamed the sidelines for five or more seasons. Boatwright was on the squad during Fiore's early seasons.

"He was an excellent shooter," Fiore said. "And he was well respected in the locker room. He was a really good team guy."

From Montclair, Boatwright attended Saint Paul's College in Virginia where he played for the Tigers in 2006-2007. Saint Paul's was founded in 1888 and competed in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) until loss of accreditation and financial difficulties forced them to close their doors in 2013.
After college, Boatwright settled back into Westfield, which Fiore said perfectly fit his personality.

"He was always involved in his community. He never forgot where he came from. He was always looking to give back to Westfield," Fiore said. "

A GoFundMe campaign set up in his honor by Megan Marie DeCristoforo touched upon Boatwright's kindness and community spirit.

"Maurice was an upstanding and devoted family member, friend, coach and mentor in the community," DeCristoforo said.

The crash that took Boatwright's life happened at approximately 5:30 p.m. when the Colts Neck Police were called to the scene of an overturned tanker truck near mile marker 22 on the northbound side of Route 18. The vehicle was traveling north at the time of the crash and no other vehicles were involved, police said.

The tanker truck belonging to KW Rastall, Inc. of North Brunswick overturned, causing the tank to separate from the vehicle and spill approximately 1,400 gallons of diesel fuel oil into the shoulder of the highway.

Monmouth County HazMat and NJDEP responded to the scene to contain and later coordinate the clean-up of the spill.

Fiore called the loss tragic and and expressed condolences for the family Boatwright left behind, particularly for his young daughter.

"This was a very giving guy in his own community and I know he was a loving father," Fiore said. "He loved his daughter."

Boatwright's daughter Pariss is the focus of the fundraising campaign, as DeCristoforo said Boatwright's loved ones were shocked and saddened by his tragic death.

"He was 37 years young and the proud father of a beautiful baby girl named Pariss. This fundraiser is being created in order to ease the sudden expenses of a funeral, as well to start a fund to help care for Maurice's young daughter, Pariss," DeCristoforo said. " Assistance of any kind is greatly appreciated."

The crash is still under investigation and the Colts Neck Police are asking if anyone witnessed the crash, to contact Patrolman Morgan Savage at 732-780-7323.

(Photo 1 is courtesy of the Westfield School District)

(Photo 2 is courtesy of Montclair State. Used with permission)

(Photo 3 is courtesy of GoFundMe, a Patch promotional partner )

(Photo 4. is courtesy of the Westfield School District)

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