State Police Employee Killed In Rt. 46 Motorcycle Crash: PD

MOUNT OLIVE, NJ — A New Jersey State Police communications technician was killed in a motorcycle crash on Route 46 last month, Mount Olive police said.

John Zaki, 47, from Landing, was pronounced dead at Morristown Medical Center following the Sept. 29 crash in Mount Olive. Police say he was riding his motorcycle on Rt. 46 near Chamberlain Road when he crashed into a Toyota that pulled in front of him to make a left turn.

The Toyota was driven by Brielle Kraus, 22, of Budd Lake; police say the car she was driving "pulled out into the path of the motorcycle, causing the crash."

Police say they found Zaki's motorcycle pinned under the car, and Zaki had been "thrown clear" off of the bike.

He was airlifted to Morristown Medical Center, where he died.

Zaki began working for the New Jersey State Police in the Communications Support Unit in March of this year. "John and his family will forever be a part of the Blue and Gold family. They remain in our thoughts and prayers. Please keep them in yours," State Police said.

The Parsippany native is survived by his wife, Lauren Siano-Zaki, his two daughters, his mother, mother-in-law, his brother, his niece and his nephew.

Friends and coworkers set-up a fundraiser to off-set funeral costs for the Zaki family. "This man, our friend, our neighbor, always ready to lend a hand, always had a pleasant conversation with whomever he met. Our hearts are heavy, we are all feeling the loss of this great guy," the friends wrote on a GoFundMe page.

Contributors shared fond memories of Zaki, whom they described as a friendly, warm man.

"We met John through Pax Amicus Castle Theatre where our kids performed together. It did not take long before we were sneaking out of rehearsals for shopping, a bite to eat or just to escape hearing the same song for the 147th time that evening!" one couple wrote on the page.

Said another, " It was an honor to work with him, and it did not take long to realize what a great man he was. John will be missed by all of us here at the NJSP."