Four Teens Killed in New Jersey Turnpike Crash
LAKEWOOD, NJ – Four teenagers were killed in a wrong-way crash on the New Jersey Turnpike early Sunday morning, authorities confirmed.
The victims, identified as Aharon “Lebo” Lebovits, 18, Yaakov Kilberg, 19, Shlomo Cohen, 18, all from Lakewood, and Chaim Grossman, 18, from Fallsburg, NY, were traveling southbound when their vehicle was struck by a pickup truck driving north in the southbound lanes near Salem County. The crash occurred at approximately 2:41 a.m.
According to State Police, the pickup truck, driven by 41-year-old Christopher Neff of Westminster, Colorado, collided head-on with the Mazda driven by Kilberg. After the initial crash, the Mazda was subsequently hit by a Freightliner, though the driver of that vehicle was unharmed.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene and pronounced the four passengers dead upon arrival. Neff sustained serious injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing. Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident to contact the Troop “D” Moorestown Station detective bureau at 609-860-9000 ext. 3226.
Memorial services for the victims were held Sunday at Lakewood High School, following the Jewish tradition of burial within 24 hours. The community has expressed deep sorrow and outrage over the tragedy, underscoring the loss of four promising young lives.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.