Four teenagers killed in wrong-way crash on Turnpike; witnesses requested to come forward.
State police in New Jersey are actively seeking assistance from the public as they investigate a tragic wrong-way collision on the New Jersey Turnpike that resulted in the deaths of four teenagers. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning, around 12:40 a.m., when a Dodge Ram pickup truck, driven by 36-year-old Christopher Neff from Colorado, entered the southbound lanes while traveling in the wrong direction. The vehicle subsequently collided head-on with a Mazda CX-5 near the 1.3 milepost in Salem County, approximately 25 miles southwest of Philadelphia.
After the initial impact, a freightliner truck traveling behind the Mazda also struck the vehicle, compounding the severity of the crash. The impact was devastating, leaving four young individuals dead. The victims have been identified as 19-year-old Yaakov Kilberg, the driver of the Mazda, along with 18-year-olds Aharon Lebovits and Shlomo Cohen, all hailing from Lakewood Township in Ocean County. The fourth victim, Chaim Grossman, was an 18-year-old resident of Fallsburg, New York. Reports indicate that the group was comprised of close friends who were students at a nearby Yeshiva, enjoying a weekend break together.
Neff, the driver of the pickup, sustained serious injuries in the crash and was taken to a hospital for treatment. His current condition has not been disclosed to the public. Authorities have not yet determined the circumstances leading up to the deadly incident, and as of now, no charges have been filed against Neff.
In a bid to gather more information, state police are urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash or observed Neff’s vehicle traveling in the wrong direction to come forward. The investigation is ongoing, with law enforcement officials emphasizing the importance of community involvement in uncovering the full details surrounding this tragic event.
This incident has not only devastated the families of the victims but has also left a deep impact on the local community, which is now rallying in support of those affected. As the investigation continues, the hope remains that further insights will provide clarity into the events that led to this heartbreaking loss of young lives.
