Crime & Safety
'I Want My Baby Boy Back': Family Mourns Bergen County Teen Killed In Crash
A teen from Bergen County died in a crash on a highway in Mahwah on Tuesday, state police said. His family has started a fundraiser.
BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A 19-year-old man from Oakland died in a car crash on I-287 during rush hour on Tuesday, police said.
Jonathan Rodriguez-Pluchino was driving a Volkswagen near milepost 65.4 in Mahwah around 7:15 a.m. when the car veered off the road to the right and struck multiple trees, said a New Jersey State Police spokesman.
He sustained serious injuries and was taken to an area hospital, where he died, said Sgt. Jeffrey Lebron.
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Pluchino's mom posted on Facebook Tuesday, "I have no words…I am forever broken..I want my baby boy back."
Family friends have started a fundraiser.
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"We would appreciate any donations that can be given to help with funeral expenses and help my mom while she has to take time off work," wrote his sister. "If you can’t donate, please share and send prayers to Johnny and our family as we navigate this unimaginable loss. Johnny was a fun, loving boy who had his entire life ahead of him."
The fundraiser had raised $29,000 by Wednesday night.
The crash remains under investigation, and no additional information is available at this time, said Lebron.
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