Colorado Man Charged With DUI & Weapons Offenses in NJ Turnpike Crash that Killed Four Yeshiva Students

By: Tzirel Rosenblatt

The Jewish community is in mourning following a devastating wrong-way collision on the New Jersey Turnpike early Sunday morning that claimed the lives of four young bochurim whose futures were filled with promise and devotion to helping others. Authorities confirmed that Christopher Neff, 41, of Westminster, Colorado, has been charged in connection with the crash, which investigators described as one of the most catastrophic in recent state memory.

According to a report on Wednesday at VIN News, the fatal accident occurred near Exit 1 in Carneys Point when Neff, driving a pickup truck, entered the southbound lanes while traveling north. The truck collided head-on with an SUV carrying the four yeshiva students. The impact of the collision was so severe that the boys’ vehicle was pushed directly into a tractor-trailer, killing all four occupants instantly, r”l (may Hashem avenge their blood).

Authorities identified the victims as Yaakov Kilberg, 19, who was driving; Aharon Lebovits, 18; Shlomo Cohen, 18; all residents of Lakewood, New Jersey; and Chaim Grossman, 18, of Fallsburg, New York. All four were close friends who frequently spent time together volunteering for Bikur Cholim of Lakewood, according to the report at VIN News. The organization, which provides assistance to those facing illness and hardship, described the boys as “remarkable young men whose acts of chesed (kindness) spoke louder than words.”

New Jersey State Police confirmed that Neff was heavily intoxicated at the time of the crash. Preliminary toxicology reports revealed his blood alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit. Investigators also discovered hollow-point ammunition inside his vehicle, prompting additional weapons charges, VIN News reported.

Authorities later learned that Neff had been drinking at a nearby bar less than an hour before the fatal collision. Surveillance footage allegedly showed him stumbling to his vehicle and driving away despite attempts by others to stop him. Within minutes, his truck entered the highway going the wrong direction.

The collision occurred at approximately 2:20 a.m. The SUV carrying the four bochurim had little chance to evade impact, and the force of the crash caused catastrophic damage to both vehicles. First responders who arrived at the scene described it as “utter devastation.” One state trooper told VIN News that it was among the worst accidents he had witnessed in 20 years of service.

Neff sustained multiple injuries and was transported to a local hospital, where he remains under police guard. Prosecutors in Salem County confirmed that he will be charged with four counts of vehicular homicide, driving under the influence, and possession of prohibited ammunition. Additional charges may be filed pending the outcome of the investigation.

The levayos (funeral services) for the four boys drew thousands from across the tristate area. As VIN News reported, the processions in Lakewood were marked by profound grief and unity, with mourners flooding the streets to pay their respects. Community members spoke of the boys’ ehrlichkeit — their sincerity, humility, and steadfast faith.

“Each one of them was special in his own way,” said Rabbi Avraham Meir, a family friend, speaking to VIN News. “They were inseparable — four friends bound by Torah, kindness, and a shared mission to help others. They spent their free hours driving patients to hospitals, delivering meals to families in crisis, and doing whatever needed to be done — quietly, without recognition.”

The Lakewood Scoop reported that all four had studied at various yeshivos known for their strong emphasis on community service and chesed. At the levaya for Yaakov Kilberg, his rebbe described him as “a young man whose smile could light up a room and whose heart was always open to others.”

Aharon Lebovits, who had recently completed a volunteer project for an elderly couple in the neighborhood, was remembered as “the kind of boy who never said no when someone asked for help.” Shlomo Cohen, who was known for his good humor and compassion, “always found the good in people,” according to one friend. And for Chaim Grossman, who had come from Fallsburg to visit his friends for the weekend, the tragedy was especially poignant — a journey meant for joy and friendship that ended in heartbreak.

The tragedy has shaken not only the Lakewood community but Jewish communities across the United States and beyond. Messages of condolence have poured in from rabbanim, public officials, and Jewish organizations, with many emphasizing the need for renewed vigilance against the dangers of drunk driving.

The VIN News report noted that local officials have pledged to work closely with the families and community leaders to ensure a full investigation and to push for stricter enforcement measures against repeat DUI offenders. “This tragedy underscores the catastrophic consequences of impaired driving,” one law enforcement official told the outlet. “Four young lives were stolen in an instant because of one person’s reckless choice.”

The families of the victims released a joint statement through Bikur Cholim of Lakewood, thanking first responders, police, and volunteers for their outpouring of support. “We are heartbroken beyond words,” the statement read. “Our sons lived their lives with kindness and purpose. We pray that their memory will inspire others to perform acts of good and to value every precious moment.”

Community leaders have also established a memorial fund in honor of the four victims to support charitable initiatives reflective of their shared spirit of generosity. VIN News reported that the fund will help expand hospital transportation services and assist families in crisis — causes close to the boys’ hearts.

At the shiva homes in Lakewood and Fallsburg, the sense of loss was palpable. Hundreds lined up to offer words of comfort, yet few could find any adequate expression for the depth of grief. “This is a darkness that words cannot describe,” said Rabbi Shimon Lazer, a local community leader, in remarks quoted in the VIN News report. “These were boys of light — pure souls who loved Hashem and loved their fellow Jew. Their loss is a loss for all of Klal Yisrael.”

Counselors and volunteers have been working with classmates and friends of the victims, many of whom are struggling to process the tragedy. Schools and yeshivos across the region have organized special tefillos (prayer gatherings) and evenings of inspiration dedicated to the memory of the four young men.

As prosecutors prepare to bring formal charges against Christopher Neff, community members are calling for accountability and for stronger measures to prevent such tragedies in the future. The VIN News report emphasized that the case has renewed calls for tougher penalties for drunk driving and the need for expanded education on road safety.

Meanwhile, the focus in Lakewood remains on honoring the memory of Yaakov, Aharon, Shlomo, and Chaim. In the words of one rabbi quoted in  the VIN News report: “They lived their lives in the service of others — may their neshamas have an aliyah, and may their memory be a blessing and a lesson to us all.”