Atlantic Highlands Couple Killed In Alleged DWI Crash Remembered

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ — John and Barbara Grogan, the couple struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver Friday night on Rt. 36, are remembered as parents of three — and a man and woman who grew up in and deeply loved Atlantic Highlands. They were also soon-to-be grandparents, as one of their adult children had a baby on the way.

The Grogans were hit as they were attempting to cross Rt. 36 at Grand Avenue at approximately 7:50 p.m. Friday evening, March 8. The husband and wife were struck when they were out for one of their usual evening walks around the quaint seaside town, according to their obituary. They were hit by an alleged drunk driver in his late 20s from Belford, the Monmouth County prosecutor said. Dylan Rieger, 27, of Belford, has been charged with driving while intoxicated and reckless driving. He remained at the scene Friday.

The couple was attempting to cross the intersection from the northbound direction of State Highway 36 at Grand Ave. when they were struck by an eastbound 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, driven by Rieger, said police.

The Grogans leave behind their children Amy (31), Jonathan (29), Andrew (25), and daughter-in-law Rebecca (28).

A viewing for the Grogans will be this Thursday, March 14 from 2-4 p.m. and then 6-9 p.m. at John Condon Funeral Home on Hwy. 36. Funeral services will be Friday, March 15 at 11 a.m. at Saint Agnes Church. The Condon funeral home did not have a photo.

Both John and Barbara grew up in Atlantic Highlands, "a town and community they loved so fondly," according to their obituary, and they spent the remainder of their lives there.

John attended Saint Agnes elementary, Henry Hudson Regional and a few semesters of junior college at Brookdale Community College. He successfully started his own business, John Grogan Lawn Maintenance, which he ran for 35 years.

Barbara attended Atlantic Highlands Elementary School K-6, Henry Hudson Regional and William Patterson University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business.

"John and Barbara worked hard so that Barbara could stay home with all three children, Amy, Jonathan and Andrew," according to the obituary. John worked two jobs for most of his life, most famously as a weekend bartender at Briody’s Black Point Inn, and later part time for the Atlantic Highlands Sewage Authority.

In her later years, Barbara returned to work, first working as a substitute teacher and then as a full time teacher’s aide at Atlantic Highlands Elementary School. The school said in a statement on Facebook she will sorely be missed.

Along with being a full-time mom, Barbara was an active member of the PTA and an assistant coach for Little League Baseball.

"Both she and John were heavily involved in their children’s lives both at home, at school and extracurricular activities," read their obituary. "As a big baseball and softball fan, Barbara often kept the book for her children’s at home games."

John and Barbara Grogan are remembered as a couple who loved life, and enjoyed it together, as a husband and wife.

"Barbara was an avid walker, and could be seen most days powerwalking her way through Atlantic Highlands. Barbara and John often walked together as well as casually biked around the area," their obit read.

"They were both beach enthusiasts and loved a good happy hour with live music. Together as well as with their children, John and Barbara took regular vacations to tropical locales, their home away from home being the Florida Keys. John was a lover of the ocean and aquatic life, a love he passed to his wife and children. Starting out as a snorkeler it was always John’s dream to learn to SCUBA dive. He fulfilled this dream first with his daughter and then with his sons."

"John and Barbara touched the lives of more people than we will ever know," read their obituary. "They were both beautiful people and regular comedians who brought love and laughter everywhere they went. No number of words could ever capture their larger-than-life personalities."

In lieu of flowers the Grogan children request donations to Reef Relief or the Northshore Animal League.

Related: Drunk Driving In Fatal Atlantic Highlands Crash, Prosecutor Says