Breaking: East River (Orlando) quarterback dies in car accident

ORLANDO, Fla. – Nick Miner, a three-year varsity quarterback for East River High School in Orlando, died Saturday night in a car accident, according to his head coach Tony Piccalo.

The 6-foot, 210-pound senior was one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in Orange County for three years. He had more than 3,100 total yards and 33 touchdowns in his career.

Miner also competed in weightlifting, Piccalo said.

“I don’t know what I can really say right now,” Piccalo said. “Maybe in a couple days I can say something.”

Piccalo said he was informed of Miner’s death on Sunday morning by OCPS (Orange Public School Schools) administration and coaches. He said he doesn’t know of any specific details other than Miner died in an automobile accident.

Miner made an immediate impact as a sophomore at East River, passing for 900 yards and six TDs and rushing for 235 yards and five scores in leading the Falcons a 5-3 record and the state playoffs.

As a junior, Miner threw for 783 yards and five TDs and rushed for 468 yards and eight scores as East River finished 4-7.

This year, he had passed for 360 yards and six TDs, and rushed for 374 yards and three scores.

“He was a physical kid that the kids felt good about,” Piccalo said.

Piccalo said the school will figure out a way to honor Miner in the days ahead.

“I know I speak for our entire East River High community when I express the grief I felt at the loss of one of our own,” said East River principal Becky Watson in an official statement on the East River High School OCPS Facebook page. “My thoughts and prayers are with this student’s family and friends as they go through this extremely difficult time.

“We will have grief counselors available on campus first thing in the morning (Monday, Oct. 24) for any student or staff member who needs to speak with someone about this loss,” Watson said. “A wide range of emotions can be felt during the grief process and we encourage you to openly discuss your son or daughter’s reaction to this news.”

East River also planned to do a private memorial on Sunday night for the school’s football and weightlifting teams. A second memorial for the public will be announced soon, according to the school’s Facebook page.

Jeff Gardenour can be reached at jgardenour1962@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @JMarkG1962 

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo