Dovid Yitzchok Handler, Chaim Zelig Beril Obituary, Death – Three teenagers tragically lost their lives in a single-vehicle crash in Jackson, New Jersey, on North Hope Chapel Road near New Central Avenue early Friday morning. Authorities have now identified the victims as Dovid Yitzchok Handler, Chaim Zelig Beril, and Rafael Faham, according to Jackson Police Chief Matthew D. Kunz. The accident involved a minivan carrying five teens in total.
Initially, two teens—Handler and Beril—were pronounced dead at the scene. Faham, the third fatality, was critically injured and transported to the hospital where he remained in grave condition throughout the weekend before succumbing to his injuries. The other two teens, who survived the crash, were also critically injured and hospitalized.
The emergency response was initiated at 4:39 a.m. Friday when a passing driver called 911 after noticing the aftermath of the wreck. The caller reported that a vehicle had collided with a tree along North Hope Chapel Road. Upon arrival, police officers were confronted with a harrowing scene: the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames, and four of the five occupants were trapped inside.
Despite the intense fire and heavy vehicle damage, officers bravely worked to rescue the victims. Two individuals were pulled from the burning wreckage with severe injuries. Another teen had managed to get out of the vehicle before authorities arrived and was discovered lying on the ground nearby.
According to Chief Kunz, the crash had a devastating sequence of events. One of the teens died upon impact with the tree, while another was fatally injured due to the fire, which originated in the vehicle’s severely damaged engine compartment. The blaze quickly consumed the interior, adding to the horror of the accident.
Preliminary findings from the investigation revealed that the vehicle had been heading north on North Hope Chapel Road at the time of the crash. Investigators believe the minivan first hit a deer in the roadway, which caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle. After striking the deer, the car veered off to the right and slammed into a large tree. The impact was strong enough to incapacitate the vehicle and likely contributed to the ensuing fire.
All of the crash victims were teenagers, but the ages and identities of the two surviving passengers have not been released. They were rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment and remain in critical condition.
The community has been deeply shaken by the tragedy, especially given the youth of those involved. As of Wednesday afternoon, police and investigators were continuing to gather details about the crash. While the incident appears to be a tragic accident, authorities are still working to complete a thorough investigation, which includes confirming vehicle speeds, road conditions, and any other contributing factors.
Officials have not announced any suspicion of substance use or reckless driving, focusing instead on the deer collision as the likely initiating factor in the tragic chain of events. North Hope Chapel Road, a two-lane thoroughfare known for its wooded surroundings, has long been considered potentially hazardous due to frequent wildlife crossings and poor visibility during early morning hours.
Jackson Police, along with other emergency responders and crash reconstruction experts, are continuing their efforts to piece together a full account of what happened in the moments leading up to the fatal collision. The vehicle’s make and model have not yet been disclosed, nor has it been stated whether all passengers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
As the investigation proceeds, tributes and condolences have begun to pour in for the families of the deceased. Community members have organized memorials and are offering support to the grieving families. The loss of three young lives has left an indelible mark on the local area, where the victims were known and loved by many.
Jackson Township officials have also offered their condolences and encouraged residents to support one another in the wake of the tragedy. Grief counseling and mental health support have been made available at local schools and community centers for those affected by the incident.
With two teens still fighting for their lives, many in the community remain on edge, hoping for their full recovery. The heartbreaking loss of Handler, Beril, and Faham serves as a stark reminder of how quickly lives can be lost on the road, even under circumstances that seem unavoidable.
Authorities continue to urge drivers to remain vigilant, especially on roads where wildlife is commonly encountered, and to take every precaution when behind the wheel. Updates on the investigation will be released as more information becomes available. In the meantime, the town of Jackson mourns the loss of three young souls and prays for healing for the surviving victims and their families.