Aharon Lebovits, Shlomo Cohen Obituary, Death – Authorities in New Jersey are investigating a tragic multi-vehicle collision that claimed the lives of four individuals early Sunday morning on the New Jersey Turnpike. The incident occurred at approximately 12:40 a.m. on the southbound side of the highway near milepost 1.3 in Carneys Point Township, Salem County.
According to the New Jersey State Police, the collision involved a Dodge pickup truck, a Mazda SUV, and a Freightliner tractor-trailer. Investigators reported that 41-year-old Christopher Neff of Westminster, Colorado, was driving the Dodge pickup truck in the wrong direction—northbound in the southbound lanes—when the vehicles collided.
At the same time, 19-year-old Yaakov Kilberg of Lakewood, New Jersey, was driving a Mazda SUV in the southbound left lane, accompanied by three passengers. Authorities believe the two vehicles collided head-on, leading to a devastating chain reaction. After the initial impact, Kilberg’s SUV was struck from behind by a Freightliner tractor-trailer traveling in the same direction in the right lane.
Emergency personnel arrived quickly at the scene and found significant wreckage from the crash. Sadly, Kilberg and all three of his passengers lost their lives as a result of the impact. The victims were identified as 18-year-old Aharon Lebovits and 18-year-old Shlomo Cohen, both from Lakewood, New Jersey, and 18-year-old Chaim Grossman of Fallsburg, New York.
Authorities confirmed that Neff, the driver of the Dodge pickup truck, sustained serious injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. The driver of the Freightliner tractor-trailer was not injured, according to police reports.
Investigators have not yet determined what caused the Dodge truck to travel in the wrong direction, and officials emphasized that the investigation is ongoing. The crash resulted in a temporary closure of several lanes on the Turnpike as crews worked to clear debris and investigators documented the scene. The affected section of the highway was reopened to traffic several hours later.
New Jersey State Police troopers and members of the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit are leading the investigation, which will include examining roadway evidence, vehicle data, and potential witness accounts. Authorities are also reviewing any available traffic camera footage from the area to piece together the moments leading up to the crash.
The tragic event has deeply affected the local communities of Lakewood, New Jersey, and Fallsburg, New York, where the victims were from. Friends and neighbors have expressed their condolences, describing the young men as kind, dedicated, and full of promise. Several community leaders have also extended their sympathies to the families affected by the loss, noting the devastating impact such an incident has on the tight-knit communities involved.
Traffic safety experts emphasize that wrong-way driving, while rare, can result in severe and often fatal outcomes due to the high-speed, head-on nature of such collisions. Officials urge drivers to remain alert, obey signage, and immediately report any vehicles traveling in the wrong direction to law enforcement.
The New Jersey State Police continue to investigate the cause of the incident and whether any contributing factors—such as impairment, distraction, or confusion—may have played a role. Investigators have not announced whether any charges are expected as they await the results of toxicology reports and vehicle inspections.
As the investigation progresses, authorities have asked anyone who may have witnessed the crash or observed the Dodge pickup traveling north in the southbound lanes before the collision to contact the New Jersey State Police. Even small details, they said, could help provide clarity on what led to the tragic event.
The incident serves as a somber reminder of how quickly lives can be altered on the road and highlights the importance of vigilance, patience, and safe driving practices for all motorists.
