Friends, family offer prayers for brothers

SAUGUS – Close to 100 people gathered at Hood Playground Friday night to offer their prayers for Riley and Dillon McManus, the 21-year-old Lynn twins who were struck by a car Wednesday night.Dede Petry has known the brothers since they were little and attended the Boston Church of Christ with them.”They’re the cutest twins you ever saw,” said Petry, as she fought back tears. “I used to teach in Sunday School and Dillon and Riley were just the funniest kids in class.”Riley and Dillon McManus, of 701 Boston St., were struck outside their home by a 2003 Hummer driven by Angela Okenkwo, 36, of Lynn, at 11:01 p.m. Wednesday, according to Lynn Police Lt. Christopher Kelly.Kelly said Friday the brothers are still in critical condition at Massachusetts General Hospital and the investigation is still ongoing.A family friend said Saturday that Dillon McManus is brain dead and doctors will harvest his organs before letting him pass.Timothy Rosenthal has been friends with Riley and Dillon McManus since freshman year at Lynn Classical High School. Rosenthal said even though they’re identical twins, they couldn’t have had more opposite personalities, “yet they always came together as one.””In this situation if Riley could talk to us he’d say, ‘Well, it was only a car that hit me,’ while Dillon, because he was always so positive, would say, ‘At least it wasn’t a train,'” said Rosenthal. “They always tried to make it seem like it wasn’t as bad or as bad as it may seen.”The brothers graduated from Lynn Classical in 2011.Rosenthal said Riley McManus “cared passionately” about everything he did, while Dillon McManus always had something to contribute in class, and “always made you think about your own opinion and what it really meant.”Mark Whittier, an elder at the Boston Church of Christ, led the prayer service in front of a small set of bleachers in the middle of the field as a crescent moon peaked through purple clouds.Whittier said he put the vigil together not just to pray for Riley and Dillon McManus’ recovery, but to show support for their parents, Jerry and Colleen.”I think this is a way we can support each other,” said Whittier, who has known the twins since they were born. “We need to do something. They’re great kids. It’s a roller coaster for me personally, but I have to put that aside to give tonight.”As the crowd formed a semi-circle around Whittier, he began the prayer service.”The doctors told Jerry and Colleen that we need a miracle,” Whittier told the crowd. “We still need a miracle. I believe God has many miracles left.”As the night went on, more and more people could be heard sobbing.”We know we live in an area of the country where the doctors are phenomenal and they know a lot,” said Whittier. “But we know someone who knows a lot more. And we don’t know what the future holds, but we know with great confidence who holds that future.”Whittier also prayed for Okenkwo, the driver of the Hummer, telling the crowd he “can’t imagine what she is going through.””We don’t want to be bitter,” said Whittier. “We don’t want to be angry. We ask you Father to comfort her.”After the ceremony, Elaine Edmunds, who like many there Friday has known Riley and Dillon McManus since they were born, said the turnout was a testament to how much the community cares about the brothers.”It’s a wonderful thing and I think it’s a great thing for the community too,” said Edmunds. “I met a woman that didn’t even know them. It’s a great thing to bring the community together.”To help the McManus family, students and staff of Lynn Classical High School will hold a collection today from noon to 4 p.m. at the school, 235 O’Callaghan Way. Cash donations are welcome.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].