Mower accident claims the life of HoVal grad

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. James Church, 115 E. Delaware Ave., Pennington

By Ruth Luse
   Dana L. Burrell, 18, of Lambertville-Hopewell Road, Hopewell Township, was killed Monday in an accident on her family’s property.
   Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. James Church, 115 E. Delaware Ave., Pennington, with the Rev. Stephen Gewecke officiating.
   Burial will be in the Harbourton Cemetery, Harbourton.
   Friends may call Friday from 4-8 p.m. at the Wilson-Apple Funeral Home, Pennington Circle.
   Ms. Burrell — a 2005 graduate of Hopewell Valley Central High School — was mowing grass with a John Deere (GT275) lawn tractor at the rear of the property when the accident occurred. She "was mowing a raised portion of the yard that has a 3.5-foot-high wall on one edge. As she mowed along the edge the tractor went over the edge of the wall overturning on top of her," said township police Chief George Meyer.
   There were no witnesses to the accident, the chief said. "Family members were at home at the time and, in fact, found her within 10 minutes of the accident." She had not been seen for 10 minutes, said the chief, who noted that it was her father who found her.
   Hopewell Emergency Medical Unit and the Hopewell Valley Emergency Services ambulances responded to the 10:59 a.m. call. "Dana was transported to the trauma unit at Capital Health System, Helene Fuld Campus, where she was pronounced dead at 12:22 p.m.," Chief Meyer said.
   "It is uncertain," the chief added, "why the mower went off the edge of the wall. The lawn tractor appeared to be in good condition."
   A freshman at Philadelphia University, where she was majoring in fashion merchandising, Ms. Burrell was home on a break.
   While at Central High School, Ms. Burrell played lacrosse and field hockey.
   Pam Edwards, girls lacrosse coach, said Dana "always worked hard, was a good team player, was always smiling and upbeat."
   Jami Taranto, head coach of the field hockey team, said Tuesday: "Dana had a smile to brighten everyone’s day. She was positive, dedicated to her team, and always gave 100 percent."
   Tina Renga, Dana’s high school counselor, called her "a champion of tolerance for diversity. Dana was mature beyond her years and gifted at making people see wonderful traits in themselves."
   Dana, noted JoAnn Meyer, school district director of Communications and Development, has been characterized as a "hardworking and good student, with an infectious laugh, a terrific enthusiasm for life and one who enjoyed challenges."
   While in high school, Dana also worked at the Flower Shop at Pennington Quality Market for several years.
   "She was a lovely, lovely lady," said storeowner Larry Rothwell Tuesday. "Everybody loved her so much. She was such a pleasant person and meant so much to all of us. She was always smiling and never complained," he said, adding that Dana was the kind of person "everyone would want for a daughter."
   "Such a waste," he said sadly.
   Dana’s sister, Ashley, also worked at the market at one time. "She’s flying in from Italy now," Mr. Rothwell said. "It’s a wonderful family," he concluded.
   Hopewell Township Patrolman Robert Sparano and Detective Dan McKeown are involved with the investigation.