Children Home, Mom Still Hospitalized After South Jersey Crash That Killed 3

ELK TOWNSHIP, NJ — Three children who were injured in the March 9 crash on Route 55 that claimed multiple lives have returned home, a family member said Monday. Their mother, who was seriously injured in the crash, remains hospitalized.

According to a post on a GoFundMe set up by Daryan Fennal, a cousin to the children, the mother of five suffered a brain injury in the crash and remains in intensive care. The children are continuing to recover at home "surrounded by the love and support of close family and friends," Fennal said.

"We are all just hoping (my aunt) is getting 1% better each day," Fennal wrote. "Please don’t stop supporting her and her family. There is a long road ahead and they still need help."

Last week, police said a third person had died following the chain-reaction crash in Gloucester County. Two people in the same car were pronounced dead immediately following the crash.

Police identified the first two deceased victims as Brendan Cary and Dominic Reyes — both 19-year-old Franklinville residents. The third victim, a 17-year-old whom police did not identify, was riding in Cary's vehicle during the crash.

Cary was a student at Franklinville's Delsea Regional High School, and Reyes was a recent graduate, according to the Delsea Regional School District's superintendent.

The crash happened at 4:17 p.m. on Route 55 North in Elk Township, said Sgt. Charles Marchan, a State Police spokesperson.

The right-front corner of Cary's vehicle hit the left-back corner of a Honda CRV, which was in the right lane, Marchan said.

As a result, Cary lost directional control and crossed into the shoulder, where he hit a disabled Dodge minivan carrying the mother and her children. The van overturned following the collision, Marchan said.

Fennal told NJ Advance Media her aunt was taking the children to the park when the vehicle got a flat tire and she pulled to the side of Route 55. Her husband was on the way to change the flat tire.

As of Tuesday, the GoFundMe for the family had raised more than $86,000.