Funeral fund set up for New Castle boy killed Sunday

NEW CASTLE, PA. — Donations are being accepted for funeral expenses for a child who was killed by a truck while playing in his next-door neighbor’s yard Sunday.

A family friend said donations can be made at any PNC Bank to the Octavius Stone Memorial Fund or mailed to PNC Bank, 2 North Mill St., New Castle, PA 16101.

A check or money order should be made payable to Octavius Stone Memorial Fund with “for deposit only” endorsed on the back.

Octavius was 7 years old. His friend, Emil Velez, 9, of Volant, Pa., also was injured in the 2:15 p.m. accident.

Police charged Virgil Coonfare, 66, of Beckford Street, New Castle, with homicide by vehicle and aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence.

Police and witnesses said he drove over the sidewalk and up an embankment in front of Emil’s grandmother’s house on the corner of Winslow Avenue and Stanton Street. They said he hit the boys, who were standing at the top of a set of concrete steps leading up the embankment.