4-Year-Old Boy And 3 Adults Die In NJ Crash Involving Special Needs School Van

RANDOLPH, NJ — A Hackettstown boy with special needs died as a result of injuries sustained in a serious crash in Randolph Township that also killed three adults, authorities said Friday.

The Morris County Prosecutor's Office said that Yexsel Reyes Granados, 4, died at Morristown Medical Center a day after the four-vehicle crash along State Route 10.

The collision happened at around 3:20 p.m. Thursday, near the intersection of County Road 656 (Millbrook Avenue) and Route 10. Both lanes of the highway were closed for approximately six hours while first responders worked at the scene and began an investigation.

Officials said that one of the four vehicles involved was a school minivan registered to Alyft Transport LLC, which had students and employees from the P.G. Chambers School on board. This school in Cedar Knolls serves students with disabilities from preschool through eighth grade.

Two of the three adults who died were traveling in the school vehicle, according to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office. One other child was hospitalized for their injuries, and two other adults were treated at the scene, officials said Friday morning.

Authorities have not yet released details on the circumstances leading up to the crash. The adults who died have been identified as 67-year-old Bertha Castaneda of Dover, 58-year-old Maria Figueroa of Wharton, and 71-year-old Diane Goetz of Randolph.

Castaneda and Figueroa were in the school minivan, officials said.

Patty Sly, the executive director of P.G. Chambers School, clarified that transportation services "including the van and staff," are arranged by the district in which the students reside, not by the school.

"Our hearts go out to the families of those who lost their lives and all those impacted," she said. "We are praying for the recovery of those injured and are providing support to the families of our students and the greater School community."

Randolph Police, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, and the Morris County Sheriff's Office CSI Unit are investigating the collision, which caused massive traffic buildup on roads already overloaded with sinkhole refugees from the Route 80 detour.

Officials ask anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact the Randolph Township Police Department at 973-989-7000 or the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit at 973-285-6200.

No other information was released, and officials said they will provide further details "at the appropriate juncture."

In a statement, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll asked residents to be mindful about what they post online about the crash.

“While we cannot disclose many details on the circumstances of this crash at this time, I can say this is a horrible tragedy for the Morris County community
and beyond," he said on Friday. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives, and with those whose lives will undoubtedly be impacted by their loss. We ask that residents exercise discretion with what they share online, as this incident may be deeply traumatic for those in the community.”

GoFundMe pages have been started to support the families of Maria Figueroa and 4-year-old Yexsel, whose name is also spelled Dexsel in the GoFundMe.

Figueroa's brother Juan Nieves said his sister was "a kind-hearted and selfless woman who always put others before herself," in identifying her as one of the victims in the crash. The online fundraiser will help the family cover Figueroa's funeral expenses, and had raised over $18,000 as of Saturday morning.

Nieves said his family has been part of the Randolph community since 2015.

"Maria was incredibly hardworking and the most loving, devoted mother," he wrote. "She was the heart of our family, and her loss has left an emptiness we can’t put into words."

Community members are also raising funds to support the family of 4-year-old Yexsel. He was being treated at Morristown Medical Center.

According to the fundraiser's creator Miguel Velasquez, Yexsel was one of the students on the way home from school when the van was struck by another driver.

"Despite the heroic efforts of the medical team at Morristown Hospital and the overwhelming prayers and support from the community, Yexsel succumbed to his injuries and is no longer with us," Velasquez wrote on Friday.

Yexsel's family is hoping to lay him to rest in their native country of Honduras, Velasquez wrote. The fundraiser had raised close to $35,000 as of Saturday morning.

"He brought joy, love, and warmth to everyone around him, and his spirit touched many in our community," Velasquez said. "His loss is a tragedy beyond words."

On Friday morning, Randolph Mayor Joe Hathaway and the Township Council offered their condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.

"While we know no words are adequate in the wake of such sorrow, we mourn alongside you during this difficult time," their statement said.

Randolph Schools officials said their crisis response team was notified about the crash, and that the district is "in contact with and working closely with local law enforcement as they complete their investigation."

"Our thoughts are with all those affected by these circumstances, and we understand how difficult this is for all involved in our community," the district said in a statement Thursday.

Mayor Hathaway and the township council also expressed their thanks to the first responders at the scene, including Randolph Police and Fire Departments, the township rescue squad, and a number of neighboring towns in Morris County.

"We understand the mental and emotional impact our first responders face in situations like this, and we are incredibly grateful for their sacrifice and dedication to the safety of our community," they said Friday.