Thousands Raised For Surviving Son Of Bergen County Family Killed In Parkway Crash

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Friends of the Bergen County teen whose parents and sister were killed in a crash on the Garden State Parkway on Saturday have raised more than $150,000 to help him finish college and honor his family's memory.

Max Dryerman, 19, of Woodcliff Lake was at college in Philadelphia when his sister Brooke, 17, and his parents, David and Michele, were killed in a single-car accident on the Parkway in Woodbridge this weekend. Friends said they were heading home after attending the Sea Hear Now music festival in Asbury Park.

The GoFundMe was started with a goal of just $1,000 for Max to give to his sister Brooke's favorite charity. But the fundraiser took on a life of its own.

The fundraiser says, "A gift to support Max Dryerman in his time of need, in loving memory of Michele, David, and Brooke. Donations will go to support Max as he returns to college as well as charities of Max's choice. He's considering donating to Camp Raspberry, an after school program for children with special needs. Brooke served as co-president of the Pascack Hills High School chapter. Max would also like to donate to an organization supporting teens battling anxiety and depression, as well as to Jewish causes."

"This weekend the Woodcliff Lake community suffered a terrible tragedy," wrote State Sen. Holly Schepsi on social media. "Max Dryerman lost his mom, dad and younger sister in a car accident while they were coming home from the Sea Here Now concert. The family were members of Temple Emanuel and both Max and his sister Brooke were teen volunteers with Valley Chabad, giving back to the community.

"Max, a college student, has created this GoFundMe to finish college and to honor his family members. Although I don’t know him personally, please keep him in your prayers and donate if you can."

By Friday morning, the GoFundMe had raised $156,245.

One donor wrote, "Max, I never met you, but you are in my heart. No doubt you feel very alone, but you literally have an army of people behind you. I pray you have the strength to get through this dark time, and live the life your family would want you to have."

A video on Facebook shows the siblings singing and laughing on the second night of Hannukah when they were pre-teens.

See the fundraiser here.