Berlin Grad Killed On Bly Hollow Road; BCS On Lockdown Wednesday

by David Flint
Anthony J. Hindes of Berlin was killed in a one car accident Monday evening on Bly Hollow Road in the Cherry Plain area of the Town of Berlin. Sgt. Marc St. Germain of the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office said the call was received at 8:38 pm on Monday, December 13, and the accident occurred on Bly Hollow Road near Brook Road. There were snow squalls in the area Monday evening and that section of Bly Hollow Road is very steep. It appeared, St. Germain said, that Hindes lost control of his car due to bad road conditions and struck a tree. He was taken to Albany Medical Center where he passed away about 4 am. Hindes was 18 years old and was a graduate of Berlin High School just this past June. He was currently attending Hudson Valley Community College.
Hindes was well liked by many of his co-students, one of them being Shawn Willis. Shawn’s brother Aaron recalled that, “I got to know Tony when he wanted to play soccer for me on the Taconic Valley Soccer Club Men’s Under 19 team. I knew that he hadn’t played much soccer and wasn’t sure if he would be the most aggressive kid. I still remember to this day the exact words he spoke to me on the very first day of practice,
‘Ok….soooo….I can’t really kick a soccer ball…..uhhhmmmm….I don’t know any positions….but it looked like fun so I signed up…….Buuut……whatever you want me to do I will do, Coach.’
“I soon found out that Tony Hindes had one very, very good quality and that was he was true to himself, and to others,” said Willis. “He became a great defender and ended up starting for an Under 19 soccer team after barely playing at all. This is the kind of person Tony was. He was determined, he was confident and he persevered.
“He was the life of the party, the kind of kid that could light up a whole room of people with one quick smile. He was one of the best dancers I have ever seen, and he didn’t just dance at parties, he danced through life, swiftly and gracefully grabbing and twirling anyone he came into contact with. Tony touched so many people and meant so much to so many. The one thing I can say about Tony is that he left us with a heart full of love and joy, and it is only fair that we use this love and joy the same way he used his…..to spread it around to everyone. He will surely be missed,” said Willis.
On Wednesday comments regarding Hinde’s death made by some students at Berlin High School caused administrators to call the police and put the school in lockdown. Interim Superintendent Brian Howard sent out a letter to parents and posted it on the District’s website advising them that, “The Middle School/High School was in an emotionally charged state today because of the death of a much beloved former student. Tensions were heightened when inappropriate statements were made by a few individuals. We became concerned that altercations may take place. The Middle School/High School was in a temporary lockdown. Students were escorted to their busses to go home. All after school and evening activities are canceled for today.”