Carneys Point Township, NJ — Four people were killed early Sunday morning in a devastating multivehicle crash on the New Jersey Turnpike, after a wrong-way driver caused a head-on collision near milepost 1.3 in Salem County.
According to New Jersey State Police, the crash happened around 12:40 a.m. when 41-year-old Christopher Neff, of Westminster, Colorado, was driving a Dodge pickup truck northbound in the southbound lanes of the turnpike.
Head-On Collision Kills Four Young Men
Authorities say Neff’s pickup truck slammed head-on into a Mazda SUV driven by 19-year-old Yaakov Kilberg of Lakewood, New Jersey. Kilberg had three passengers in the car when the collision occurred.
Following the initial impact, a Freightliner tractor-trailer traveling in the right lane struck Kilberg’s Mazda, which had been pushed across lanes by the force of the crash.
According to ABC7 New York, all four occupants of the Mazda were killed instantly.
“It was a head-on collision between the Dodge pickup truck and the Mazda SUV near milepost 1.3,” state police said in a statement.
The victims have been identified as:
- Yaakov Kilberg, 19, of Lakewood, New Jersey
- Aharon Lebovits, 18, of Lakewood, New Jersey
- Shlomo Cohen, 18, of Lakewood, New Jersey
- Chaim Grossman, 18, of Fallsburg, New York
Surviving Drivers and Aftermath
State Police confirmed that Christopher Neff sustained serious injuries in the crash and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The driver of the Freightliner was not injured.
The collision caused extensive damage and debris along the turnpike, prompting a temporary closure of southbound lanes while crews worked to clear the wreckage and investigators reconstructed the scene.
“The investigation into what led up to the fatal collision remains ongoing,” New Jersey State Police said.
Investigation Into Wrong-Way Driving
Authorities are still trying to determine why Neff was traveling in the wrong direction. Wrong-way crashes are among the deadliest types of highway accidents, often occurring at high speeds with little time for drivers to react.
According to traffic safety data, wrong-way collisions result in fatalities three to four times more frequently than other types of crashes due to their severe impact angles.
Police have not yet confirmed whether alcohol, fatigue, or distraction played a role in this tragedy.
Community Mourning
The Lakewood and Fallsburg communities are mourning the loss of the four young men, all of whom were friends traveling together. Local leaders and faith-based organizations have offered condolences to the families.
“This tragedy has deeply shaken our community. These were young lives full of promise, taken far too soon,” said one Lakewood community member in a statement to local media.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging drivers to remain vigilant, especially during nighttime travel.
What are your thoughts on this devastating crash and the dangers of wrong-way driving? Share your views in the comments below.
