A Broken Promise
July 24, 1997
A broken promise can hurt. That is what happened on Sunday, when Brandon K. Hayes, 18, died of injuries suffered 11 days earlier in a Sagaponack car accident.
Graduating from East Hampton High School scarcely a month ago, Brandon was the homecoming king of his class, a Gold Key athlete, a running back on the varsity football team, a track champion poised to do his personal best at St. Peter's College this fall. He was by all accounts friendly, outgoing, and gracious.
He was not expected to die. For all those who awaited the promise's fulfillment, the heartbreak runs deep.