Generous Donors Help Family In Howell Car Crash Tragedy

HOWELL, NJ — Two donation sites continue to aid a family struck by tragedy in a Jan. 13 Howell car crash, in which the family's young daughter died and whose mom was seriously injured.

A GoFundMe site set up for the Williams family last week has raised more than $250,000.

"It is amazing the support so far and we appreciate every single one of you," said the site created by the company of Jack Williams, the grandfather of the child who was fatally injured in the accident.

A second GoFundMe site was created by those familiar with the family's father, Kyle Williams, a former competitive swimmer and now a local swimming coach. It has raised more than $86,000 as of Monday afternoon. He was not in the accident.

"Kyle is the force that has brought so many of us together as a community. His positivity is contagious and his impact on our children undeniable.. . . Let us be the community he can count on right now," that GoFundMe site says.

Both GoFundMe sites continue to accept donations (see links above) to aid the family in which both young parents are teachers. The mother works for the Metuchen district, according to the district.

The accident happened shortly before 4:45 p.m. Jan. 13 in Howell at Route 34 and 33. There were three involved vehicles: The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee with three Williams family members, from Howell, and a passenger from Wall, 37; a 2014 Dodge Ram pickup truck with an adult female driver, 31, from Long Branch; and a 2021 Ford Bronco with an adult female driver, 33, from Brick, the prosecutor's office has said.

The accident claimed the life of Kylie, 3, and severely injured her mother, Joelle, 34. The family's two-year-old son Lucas and the third passenger, 37, had minor injuries, authorities have said. Others involved in the accident sustained minor injuries, officials said.

The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office has not yet formally revealed the identities of those involved, and as of Monday had no updates on the cause of the accident. But the investigation is continuing.

Anyone with information about this accident is being asked to contact MCPO Agent Reginald Grant at 800-533-7443 or Howell Township Police Officer Daniel Scherbinski at 732-938-4575, ext. 2663.