FYI: I don't think that the Betty Wright mentioned in this story is the same Betty Wright that sang "Clean Up Woman" and "Tonight Is The Night". I only posted this story here because Timothy Wright is a famous gospel singer.

http://www.newsday.com/ne...6537.story

BY STACEY ALTHERR AND ARIELLE BRECHISCI | stacey.altherr@newsday


July 6, 2008

The Rev. Timothy Wright, the popular gospel singer and Roosevelt resident, was critically injured and his wife killed in a wrong-way collision Friday night on I-80 eastbound in Greene Township in Pennsylvania.

Betty Wright, 58, died after a car driven by John Pick, 44, of Lewisburg, Pa., going west in the eastbound lane, struck the car being driven by her husband.

Pick also died in the accident about 10:30 p.m. in north-central Pennsylvania, according to state police.

Timothy Wright, 61, and his grandson, D.J. Wright, 14, are both in critical condition in the intensive care unit at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa.

"He's holding on; just keep praying for him," said a family friend who answered the phone in the waiting room at the hospital.

Another car driven by Kyle Creasap, 25, of Marion, Ohio, hit Wright's car after the initial collision. Creasap and his passenger, Heather Berringer, 23, also of Marion, were injured, but the severity of their injuries was not available.

Wright's Web site describes Betty Wright as co-pastor of their church, Grace Tabernacle Christian Center Church of God in Christ in Brooklyn, and said they have five sons.

Friends of the Wrights gathered at the church, consoling each other after hearing about the accident.

Phillip Culver, 30, a personal administrator at the church, said that no matter how busy the Wrights' touring schedule was, they always made sure they were at the Brooklyn church on Sundays.

"There are a lot of heavy hearts," said Bernard Henry, 47, a church deacon and a Massapequa resident. "It's been a long day. Everyone is very sad."

Officials at the church said Wright was in Pennsylvania traveling to an Auxiliary in Ministry convention.

As word spread through the Meyer Street neighborhood in Roosevelt, where the Wrights lived, residents expressed sadness over Betty Wright's death.

Shernetta Covington, 36, said Betty Wright always bought candy from neighborhood children and left food out for stray cats.

"It's such a tragedy to see decent people go," she said. "My prayers are with them."

Dora Evans, 56, recently moved across the street from the Wrights. Although she never met them, Evans recalls seeing Wright perform on Black Entertainment Television.

"My heart goes out to them," she said.

A memorial service will be held today at 11:45 a.m. and a prayer service at 5:45 p.m. today at Grace Tabernacle. The prayer service will be led by Bishop Albert Jamison.

Daniel Edward Rosen contributed to this story.



The Rev. Timothy Wright, pastor of Grace Tabernacle Christian Center Church of God in Christ in Brooklyn, is a well-known gospel singer.

His latest CD, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus" was released in February 2007 and ranked No. 17 in sales of Christian and gospel/live recordings on Amazon.com as of late yesterday.

Betty and Timothy Wright were nominated for 2008 Song of the Year at the Stellar Awards for "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus." Timothy Wright was also nominated for "traditional male" singer of the year.

Wright began his performing career at the St. John's Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God in Brooklyn.

He performed with the late Bishop F.D. Washington and the Rev. Isaac Douglas and the N.Y. Community Choir before forming his own group, the Timothy Wright Concert Choir.

It's been all over the news here in NYC and it's so tragic. My heart breaks for the family and friends and I pray for Pastor Wright's recovery.

What is up with these wrong way drivers? I was almost killed like that 24 years ago.