Photo courtesy of @strawberrynme.
The Jersey City community is coming together to support the families of the victims from last Friday’s car crash tragedy in Newark.
Multiple news outlets have reported the identities of just three out of six victims, brothers Lamar and Darryl McKnight and Brad Cunningham, based on statements given by the brothers’ mother, Natasha, and their other relative, State Senator Angela McKnight.
But recent GoFundMe campaigns reveal Vaitiare Piotti and Veronica Bailey as the fourth and fifth victims.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office has yet to officially confirm the victims’ identities. The office has reportedly asked for more information like dental records from the families of who they believe were passengers.
“With regard to making official identification from this office, no official identifications have yet come forth from this office because of the process we have go through to make positive identifications,” Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II said on Monday.
Initial reports say that the four-door sedan was heading south on Raymond Boulevard in Newark around 10:45 p.m. on Friday. It somehow became airborne—the car was in the air—and landed on an on-ramp on Route 1&9 before going off road and hitting a support column under the Pulaski Skyway. It then caught on fire, police said.
According to reports and social media posts, all passengers had ties to Jersey City.
Lamar, 32, was a former Union City High School assistant coach and a first-year head football coach at Hudson Catholic alongside assistant coach and former Rutgers football standout Brad Cunningham, 41. Darryl worked as a counselor.
Hudson Catholic was closed on Monday as support and memories from the community continued to pour in. On Tuesday night, blue and gray balloons were released on the rooftop of Union City High School as a tribute.
Piotti, 33, was beloved for her “magnetic personality, joyous energy and big heart filled with compassion has touched so many,” the GoFundMe wrote. She was also a small business owner who sold handmade earrings “designed to empower.” The Hudson County small business community expressed their grief to Slice of Culture.
Her campaign is set for $10,000 and has fundraised $2,575 so far.
“We are Heartbroken!! we’ve also lost one of the most talented and inspiring small business owners,” Osiris, founder of Strawberrynme on Instagram told Slice of Culture.
“She brought light and joy wherever she went, and her kindness and unwavering support for others in the small business community will never be forgotten. Her impact was profound, and she will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. May she rest in peace.
Bailey was a “vibrant individual with a deep enthusiasm for life,” her GoFundMe wrote. She worked as an aesthetician and bartender and was also a business owner, specializing in the beauty care industry.
Her fundraiser has a goal of $15,000 and has so far raised $3,755. Both GoFundMes will assist with the funeral costs.
The sixth victim is still unknown through Slice of Culture’s research.
“Today, Jersey City mourns the tragic loss of six community members gone too soon, including two beloved Hudson Catholic coaches who touched countless lives through their dedication to our youth,” Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop said in a statement. “On behalf of our city, I extend my deepest condolences to their families, friends, and the entire Hudson Catholic community as we navigate this devastating loss together.”
On social media, the community has expressed their grief and shown support through photos and videos.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office investigation on the fiery crash is ongoing.
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