Teen Killed In Triple Fatal Wayne Crash Was A 'Fine Young Man'

WAYNE, NJ — Luke Warbeck was a "well-liked" and a "fine young man," Superintendent Robert Presuto said of the 17-year-old Boonton High School senior.

Warbeck, his father, Jon, and Lovedeep Fatra, a 22-year-old gas station attendant, were killed in a horrific crash at a Delta gas station on Route 23 Tuesday morning involving an intoxicated driver, authorities said. (See related: Driver Was Intoxicated In Wayne Triple Fatal Crash: Prosecutor)

"The teachers at Boonton High School who had Luke in class all said the same thing yesterday afternoon after being told of this horrific event: He was a fine young man who knew what he wanted to do after high school. Luke was a pleasure to have in class and was well-liked by his peers," Presuto said.

Presuto said he was at "a loss for words" regarding the three deaths.

"For their family, friends, and our school community, this tragedy is simply unconscionable," Presuto said. "As we are a small, tight-knit community, these tragic events affect almost everyone on some level."

The Boonton Public School District is providing support for students and staff.

"Only together we will get through the next heart-breaking days and innumerable sad days to follow," Presuto said.

Jason Vanderee, 29, the intoxicated driver in the crash, was charged with three counts of death by auto and aggravated manslaughter and driving while intoxicated, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes announced. He also charged with several drug-related offenses, including possession of hypodermic needles, Valdes said in a press release. He escaped the crash with minor injuries.

A preliminary investigation by authorities revealed that Vanderee was "driving at an excessive speed at the time of the crash," Valdes said.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

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