New Jersey, October 20, 2025
A tragic accident occurred in New Jersey when a wrong-way driver collided with a vehicle late at night on a major highway, resulting in the deaths of four teenagers. The community is in mourning as families seek justice and call for improved road safety measures. Authorities are actively investigating the incident to prevent future tragedies. The heartbreaking event has sparked a rallying cry for enhanced enforcement of road safety standards to protect young drivers and passengers on the road.
Carneys Point Township, NJ – Fatal Wrong-Way Crash Claims Four Lives
Carneys Point Township, NJ – A tragic wrong-way collision on the New Jersey Turnpike resulted in the deaths of four individuals early Sunday morning. The incident occurred around 12:45 a.m. on October 19, 2025, near milepost 1.3 in Carneys Point Township, Salem County.
Details of the Collision
According to state police, a Dodge pickup truck, driven by 41-year-old Christopher Neff of Westminster, Colorado, was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of the Turnpike. Neff’s vehicle collided head-on with a southbound Mazda SUV driven by 19-year-old Yaakov Kilberg of Lakewood, New Jersey. The impact caused the Mazda to be struck by a Freightliner tractor-trailer traveling behind it. Kilberg and his three passengers—18-year-olds Aharon Lebovits and Shlomo Cohen, both from Lakewood, and Chaim Grossman from Fallsburg, New York—were pronounced dead at the scene. Neff sustained serious injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital. The driver of the Freightliner was unharmed. The crash remains under investigation, and authorities have not disclosed further details or potential charges.
Community Response and Road Safety Concerns
The community is mourning the loss of the young victims, with families and residents expressing grief and seeking justice. The incident has sparked renewed calls for enhanced road safety measures, particularly on major highways, to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Background Context
Wrong-way driving incidents have been a concern in New Jersey. For instance, on October 5, 2025, a fatal wrong-way collision occurred on Interstate 80 in Bergen County, resulting in one death and two injuries. Such incidents highlight the ongoing challenges in ensuring road safety and the need for continuous vigilance and improvement in traffic management and enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What happened in the Carneys Point Township crash?
- A wrong-way collision on the New Jersey Turnpike resulted in the deaths of four individuals early Sunday morning. The incident occurred around 12:45 a.m. on October 19, 2025, near milepost 1.3 in Carneys Point Township, Salem County.
- Who were the victims of the crash?
- The victims were 19-year-old Yaakov Kilberg of Lakewood, New Jersey, and his three passengers—18-year-olds Aharon Lebovits and Shlomo Cohen, both from Lakewood, and Chaim Grossman from Fallsburg, New York. All four were pronounced dead at the scene.
- What caused the crash?
- The crash occurred when a Dodge pickup truck, driven by 41-year-old Christopher Neff of Westminster, Colorado, was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of the New Jersey Turnpike. Neff’s vehicle collided head-on with a southbound Mazda SUV driven by Yaakov Kilberg. The impact caused the Mazda to be struck by a Freightliner tractor-trailer traveling behind it.
- What is the current status of the investigation?
- The crash remains under investigation, and authorities have not disclosed further details or potential charges.
- Have there been similar incidents in New Jersey?
- Yes, wrong-way driving incidents have been a concern in New Jersey. For instance, on October 5, 2025, a fatal wrong-way collision occurred on Interstate 80 in Bergen County, resulting in one death and two injuries.
Chart: Key Details of the Carneys Point Township Crash
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | New Jersey Turnpike, Carneys Point Township, NJ |
| Date and Time | October 19, 2025, around 12:45 a.m. |
| Fatalities | Four individuals |
| Victims | Yaakov Kilberg (19), Aharon Lebovits (18), Shlomo Cohen (18), Chaim Grossman (18) |
| Driver of Wrong-Way Vehicle | Christopher Neff (41), Westminster, CO |
| Driver of Freightliner | Unidentified (29), Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Investigation Status | Ongoing; no charges disclosed |
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Author: NEW JERSEY STAFF WRITER
The NEW JERSEY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at constructionnjnews.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Jersey and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the New Jersey Build Expo, major infrastructure projects, and advancements in construction technology showcases. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Associated Builders and Contractors of New Jersey and the New Jersey Builders Association, plus leading businesses in construction and legal services that power the local economy such as CMiC Global and Gibbons P.C. As part of the broader network, including constructioncanews.com, constructionnynews.com, and constructiontxnews.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic construction landscape across multiple states.
