Cranford Teen Killed In Car Crash at Union County Park

The community continues to grieve over the loss of 16-year-old Cranford High School Junior who was killed in a car crash at a Union County park Tuesday night.

Justin Juzefyk, 16, was killed when the 2003 Honda CRV he was a passenger in crashed into a light pole and then struck a tree on the passenger side, Union County spokesman Seb D’Elia told NJ.com.

Juzefyk and the car’s 17-year-old driver were travelling home from the Cranford-Summit hockey game. The accident occurred shortly after 8:30 p.m., Tuesday in Warinanco Park in Roselle – just a quarter mile away from the rink.

The driver, also a Cranford High School student, survived the crash with only minor injuries, Eyewitness New reports.

Juzefyk was transported to Newark University Hospital after the accident where he died at 2:30 a.m., surrounded by family. The Union County Police Department is still investigating the crash.

The beloved teen also worked at Dreyer Farms in Cranford, where employees are heart broken by Juzefyk’s tragic death, posting this message on Facebook.

“The kids wander in looking for summer jobs when they’re 14 and become a part of your family. You watch them grow up and evolve into young men and women. They become a part of the texture of the business and you go through the process of growing up all over again watching them. Today we lost one of those fantastic kids and with him goes a colorful and happy piece of the farm.”

A candlelight vigil was held at Cranford High School on Wednesday night, with the school offering grief services to students and staff.

The “exuberant” 16-year-old was a member of the Cranford High School swim team, and a roller coaster enthusiast with a passion for photography, according to his obituary.

Services will be held tomorrow, Feb. 7 from 2 to 4 p.m., and 7 to 9p.m. at Dooley Funeral Home, located at 218 North Ave. in Cranford. A funeral mass will be held on Monday, Feb. 9 at St. John the Apostle’s in Clark.

The family requested in the obituary that in lieu of flowers, all are encouraged send in donations to Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs 633 Pearl Street Elizabeth NJ 07202 checks payable to Union County Teen Arts Festival.

Many took to Twitter to express their grief and support for the family.