
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, May 3, 1990                   TAG: 9005030135
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By Associated Press
DATELINE: FAIRFAX                                 LENGTH: Medium

SUICIDE'S CLASSMATES COUNSELED

A team of psychologists and social workers Wednesday counseled and consoled classmates of a Hayfield High School senior who committed suicide by driving his motorcycle into the side of the school.

Dolores Bohen, spokeswoman for the Fairfax County public schools, said a counseling crisis team also was dispatched to Edison High School in Franconia, where Jerry Minnick was a student last year.

"We are trying to keep as much structure in the routine as possible," Bohen said. "At the same time, we are providing everyone an opportunity to break away from the routine and sit in on counseling sessions."

While classes were in session Tuesday morning, Minnick, 18, took his motorcycle on the school running track, removed his helmet and raced full-speed into the outside wall of the boys' locker room. He died instantly.

County police spokesman Michael Proffitt would not estimate how fast Minnick's motorcycle was traveling when it slammed into the brick wall.

Bohen said the suicide was the first to occur on school grounds in the 130,000-student school system. She said that made the ordeal more difficult for the students.

"Another thing that made it difficult was that because he was killed instantly, police had to conduct the investigation there on the spot before the body was removed. The school remained the focal point, which was tough," she said.

Proffitt said Minnick was "distraught over personal problems," but he declined to elaborate or say whether Minnick left a note. Proffitt was not sure when tests would be completed to determine whether Minnick died under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Natasha Reid, 17, a Hayfield senior, said Minnick had been in a car accident in front of the school about a month ago and a motorcycle accident earlier in the year. She said he had not attended classes much lately.

Another student, who gave her name only as Jennifer, said Minnick wanted to compete on the wrestling team, but his grades weren't good enough.

School officials said Minnick's parents are deceased. For the past year, he lived in the foster home of Air Force Lt. Col. Edward Seward, who declined to comment.

by CNB