Rutgers Student from Charitable Holmdel Family in Critical Condition after New Brunswick Accident

A Rutgers student from a prominent, charitable Holmdel family was struck by an oncoming vehicle Saturday morning in New Brunswick, suffering critical injuries.

According to New Brunswick police, Timothy McDonnell, a 20-year-old Rutgers student from Holmdel, was crossing Easton Avenue at the corner of Mine Street at approximately 2:16 a.m. when he was struck by a 2007 Audi, driven be Michael Schenck, 30, from Somerset.

Schenck was traveling eastbound on Easton Avenue at the time of the accident, according to Police Captain J.T. Miller. Emergency crews transported McDonnell to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital where he was being treated for his injuries and was listed in critical condition.

The McDonnell family are well-known throughout the Holmdel community for a charity called “My Three Sons,” founded by the Rutgers student’s father, Tim McDonnell. McDonnell started the charity after a friend passed away from Leukemia in 2006, leaving three children behind, and has held several fundraisers throughout the area in support of the cause. McDonnell himself was later diagnosed with cancer in 2012, and is currently in remission.

Although the “My Three Sons” charity closed in 2011, the family is also known to support many local causes, including fundraisers at Holmdel High School. The Holmdel community has responded to Saturday’s accident by rallying behind the family, including canceling football Monday night at the high school in support of the former student athlete, and his younger brother, who is currently a senior player.

At this time, no charges have been filed againt the driver. However, police say the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call Officer Patrick Buckelew at (732)745-5200.