Manahawkin Teen's Fatal Crash Followed Mom's Death By Domestic Violence

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — The Manahawkin teen who died in a crash earlier this week had lost his mother to domestic violence earlier this year, according to reports.

The 17-year-old was identified as Gabriel Saldana; his mother was Lauren Saldana, who was killed this past January, a family friend told NJ.com. A GoFundMe has been launched to support his family.

Police believe that the teen may have fallen asleep at the wheel of his pickup truck prior to the early morning crash.

"Gabe was full of life, love, and passion," the fundraiser reads. "If you were lucky enough to know Gabe, you’d know his infectious smile and beautiful laugh could light up any room."

His mother was allegedly killed by her boyfriend, Roman Romanovskiy, in front of her children, authorities have said. He was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

She had four children; the youngest was only 3-weeks-old when she died, a previous fundraiser said.

Gabriel Saldana is being remembered as a kind, caring and intelligent young man who brightened the lives of people he knew.

"Every donation, no matter the size, and every share of this page helps us carry Gabe’s memory forward," the fundraiser reads. "I know there is nothing he would want more than for every person he loved and affected in his life to become prosperous and love what life they have left. Live for him, experience life for him, love for him. He can’t just be gone."