Ricci Branca

From: 1989

To: 2006

Please tell us about your loved one who died in a traffic accident. (What information about your loved one do you want to share with others?): Ricci Branca died On July 18, 2006, while his friends Bobby and Ryan watched. The three boys were riding their bikes on Ocean Drive headed to Ocean City, NJ, when a drunk driver hit all three. Bobby and Ryan sustained broken bones and bruises but Ricci was caught under the vehicle and drug for 50 feet. He was in a coma for five days before he was declared brain dead and life support was terminated. Ricci was 17.

Ricci was an avid BMX rider. He was part of the group of local youths who, along with Shore Fellowship Church members, created Patmos Park. Ricci was instrumental in planning the park and building the dirt jumps in preparation of the first two fundraisers

Web Administrators Note: In New Jersey, “Ricci’s Law” signed into law January 14, 2010. It requires convicted drunken drivers with a blood alcohol content level above 0.15% to have an ignition interlock system installed in their vehicles for six months to a year after their license suspension ends. Subsequent offenses would require people to drive with the interlocks – which take breath samples from drivers before allowing them to operate their vehicles – for one to three years after the license suspension ends

Do you have a pink light tree?: No

Street: 201 S. Shore Road

City/State: Northfield, NJ

May we publish the address on the virtual map? : Yes

1 Comment for this entry

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  Joye Jones

  March 11th, 2011 on 12:05 pm

  My heart breaks when I think of the sadness this tragedy caused in the Branca family. I have prayed for them. My teenage son was also killed by a drunk driver. I am interested to know about how Bobby and Ryan are today and whether they are able to speak about this horrible experience. I think people would listen to them about not drive drunk. If they are willing to email me, I would love to hear from them or from the Branca family.