Brandon Alexander Genlot Obituary, Death: Westfield High honors student killed in car crash.
Brandon Alexander Genlot Obituary, Death – A tragic car accident claimed the life of Brandon Alexander Genlot, a 17-year-old honor student at Westfield High School. The accident occurred along Sky Top Drive in the Watchung Reservation area of Scotch Plains, as confirmed by Union County police. On Monday evening at around 7:30 p.m., police arrived to find Brandon’s car wrecked and surrounded by flames. Scotch Plains firefighters quickly put out the fire, but the young man had sadly lost his life.
Brandon Genlot was a well-rounded student known for his academic and extracurricular achievements. According to the school’s Acting Principal, Tom Paterson, Brandon was a varsity volleyball player and a frequent name on the honor roll. Recently, he had been inducted into the National Honor Society and was honored with a certificate for his proficiency in Mandarin. His obituary reflects his plans to study astrophysics in college, showing his passion for academic pursuits and his bright future.
In an email to the school community, Paterson expressed sorrow over the loss, noting, “It is with a heavy heart that I share the tragic news we received this morning that senior Brandon Genlot died in a car accident.” Paterson emphasized the school’s commitment to supporting students, staff, and Brandon’s family as they grieve.
To help students process the tragic news, the high school administration arranged grief support. Students gathered in grade-level groups, providing them with a shared space to begin processing their grief. Additionally, the school is coordinating with the Traumatic Loss Coalition (TLC) for Youth to offer counseling for students and staff who may need it. The counseling team has set up various support spaces throughout the school day, encouraging students and staff to reach out for help as they cope with this loss.
Paterson urged the community to keep Brandon’s family in their thoughts, emphasizing that the school will honor his memory and support each other through the difficult days ahead. He also noted that resources to help with grief, such as guides on discussing death and coping with the loss of a friend, are available on the school district’s website to help students and families navigate this challenging time.
Brandon’s obituary, available through Higgins and Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home, remembers him as a promising young individual with a love for learning and sports. His untimely passing has left a profound impact on his school and community.