Cadet Dies In Training, Teen Drowns At NJ Lake, Car Explosion Investigated: NJ Weekend

The body of a teen was pulled out from a lake at Ramapo State Park, and a woman and child died in a car crash.

Here’s a look at the headlines you may have missed during the weekend:

Teen Drowns In Ramapo State Park Lake

A 14-year-old boy drowned Saturday in a lake at Ramapo State Park.

The boy was pulled from the water around 1:20 p.m. and pronounced dead at the scene.

The Northeast Regional Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the official cause of death.

Read More Here: Teen Drowns In Ramapo Lake In State Forest In New Jersey

Child, Woman Killed In Crash

A Monmouth County man has been charged in a head-on crash in Lakewood that killed a woman and an 11-year-old girl and injured a second 11-year-old girl on Saturday night.

Raul Luna-Perez, 43, of Red Bank is suspected of impaired driving and a sample of his blood was taken under a court-approved warrant, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Luna-Perez was taken to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River where he is being held pending a detention hearing.

Read More Here: Child, Woman Killed, 2nd Child Injured In Head-On Crash, Driver Suspected Of DUI, Prosecutor Says

NJ ROTC Cadet Dies During Training In Kentucky

A 22-year-old Rutgers University student died participating in land navigation training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, as part of the Army's Cadet Summer Training program, the U.S. Army Cadet Command (ROTC) said.

Cadet Neil Edara of Ridgewood had been enrolled in ROTC since September 2021 and was training with the 9th Regiment's Advanced Camp when he became unresponsive during the exercise, army officials said.

He was airlifted to University of Louisville Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Army officials have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Edara's death.

“Cadet Edara was one of the most dedicated and promising young leaders I’ve had the privilege to know,” Lt. Col. Timothy Sorensen, professor of military science, Rutgers University, said. “His calm collected demeanor and unwavering commitment to excellence left a lasting impact on everyone around him. His loss is deeply felt across the entire ROTC and Rutgers community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”

3 Injured In Head-On Collision

Three people were hospitalized following a head-on crash at the Jersey Shore over the weekend, the Marmora Volunteer Fire Company said.

The incident took place around 12:25 p.m. Saturday, at the 800 block of South Shore Road in the Palermo section of Upper Township. On arrival, responders found two cars that had collided head-on. One person was entrapped in the first vehicle, one person from the second vehicle was on the ground and the third had extricated themselves from the second vehicle, officials said.

Read More Here: 3 Injured In Head-On Jersey Shore Car Collision, Officials Say

Federal Agents Investigating Possible Vehicle Explosion

Federal investigators from the ATF and FBI are examining the scene of a suspected car explosion that occurred in Delran Township on Saturday morning, according to media reports.

The incident took place on the 100 block of Shelly Lane, where agents could be seen conducting their investigation, reported 6ABC. Authorities have not reported any injuries from the blast.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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