Support Pours In For Families Of Victims In Fatal Route 37 Crash In Toms River

TOMS RIVER, NJ — As authorities continue to investigate the Route 37 crash that killed two people and critically injured two others on Friday, the Toms River community has been rallying to assist the families of the victims.

Evan Fiore, 23, and his girlfriend, Kiley Armstrong, 21, were killed, and Kiley's twin sister, Krista Armstrong, 21, and her boyfriend, Ryan Chapman, 19, were critically injured in the crash that happened when a speeding BMW driven by an unlicensed teen hit their Toyota Camry at the intersection of Routes 37 and 166, according to the families of the victims.

A GoFundMe campaign set up by Cole Crozier, Ryan Chapman's stepbrother, and Brady Bryson, a close friend of Evan Fiore, had raised nearly $130,000 as of Tuesday morning to assist with funeral expenses for Evan and Kiley and the medical expenses for Ryan and Krista.

The teen driving the BMW has been charged with two counts of aggravated manslaughter; four counts of aggravated assault causing bodily injury while eluding; two counts of death by auto; two counts of causing death while driving unlicensed; two counts of causing injury while driving unlicensed; two counts of aggravated assault manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life; eluding, and four counts of assault by auto, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said Saturday. Read more: 2 Die In Route 37 Crash In Toms River As Unlicensed Teen Drove 118 MPH: Prosecutor

On Monday, the case was transferred to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, and officials there were not able to release any additional information on the investigation.

The teen driver has not been identified by authorities, nor have the passengers in the BMW, who were both treated and released after the crash. The driver was being held in the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center. He was set to make a court appearance Tuesday morning, a source told Patch.

Anger at the driver and passengers of the BMW has been intense across social media, with commenters demanding stiff penalties for all three. Monmouth County authorities declined to comment on the case, citing the recent transfer and logistics of getting fully briefed on the investigation.

The crash happened at 10:58 p.m. Friday, less than 15 minutes after the white BMW was first seen speeding east into Seaside Heights over the Thomas A. Mathis Bridge on Route 37, authorities said.

Toms River police, who first saw the car at 10:45 p.m., tried to pull it over but the car kept going and Toms River police halted their pursuit due to safety concerns, authorities said.

The BMW was seen heading north on Route 35 toward Lavallette, but turned around and was clocked going 118 mphin a 35 mph zone by Seaside Heights police on southbound Route 35, authorities said.

The BMW then headed west on Route 37 across the J. Stanley Tunney Bridge back toward Toms River, authorities said. Toms River police, who were on the westbound side of the bridge, saw the BMW still speeding and followed from a distance but did not pursue the car for safety reasons, authorities said.

Kiley Armstrong and Evan Fiore died on impact, according to the GoFundMe campaign set up by Cole Crozier, Ryan Chapman's stepbrother, and Brady Bryson, a close friend of Evan Fiore. The couple had been dating for some time and were anticipated to be getting married, according to the campaign.

Ryan Chapman and Krista Armstrong are in critical condition at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Crozier and Bryson wrote.

"The support you have shown the victims and families involved means the world to them, and from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for everything," Crozier and Bryson wrote. "Seeing so many people come together to help our families in a time of need is amazing, and I cannot thank you enough for being here for us and helping us on our journey. From the bottom of my heart thank you so much for your support."

The Toms River North Marching Mariners booster club has been raising funds to pay for meals for the Armstrong family; Krista was a member of the marching band, and the twins' father had served as the booster club treasurer, according to the club.

"This weekend, my beautiful nieces, Kiley and Krista, and their boyfriends were in a terrible accident where an unlicensed driver ran a red light on Route 37 in Toms River going over 100 mph and crashed into their car," Jim Armstrong wrote in a Facebook post. "Our hearts are broken. If you have the time, please keep our families in your thoughts and prayers. If you have the means, please consider donating to the Gofundme below to help with Kiley and Evan’s funeral, and Krista and Rysn’s medical expenses."

Diana Fiore, Evan's mother, posted a message on Facebook on Monday, thanking family and friends for their support.

"I’m not even sure how to put this into words but I’ll do my best. On Friday March 7th my son and his girlfriend were killed in a tragic event," she wrote. "Please know that I am grateful for each and everyone of you that has been reaching out to me and my family. I am sorry that I cannot reply. I am lost for words and just trying to take this minute by minute. Please try and understand but I just cannot possibly reach out to anyone at this time."

"Thank you for all the love and generosity. We are all grateful," she wrote.

"Our hearts are broken," wrote Jim Armstrong, the uncle of Kiley and Krista. "If you have the time, please keep our families in your thoughts and prayers. If you have the means, please consider donating to the Gofundme below to help with Kiley and Evan’s funeral, and Krista and Rysn’s medical expenses."