Union County, Kearny Teens Killed In Delaware Crash

HILLSIDE, NJ — A Hillside teenager was among two killed in a Delaware crash where their car went off the highway, airborne off the ground into a tree on Saturday.

Alfahtee Huey, 19, from Hillside and Adrian Velazquez, 19, from Kearny were killed while two other teens Jose Barillas, 19, from Newark and Andres Medina, 20, from Howell were hospitalized with injuries, Delaware State Police reported.

Velazquez, Barillas and Medina were all Rutgers University soccer players at the Newark Campus, Rutgers confirmed.

"A tragedy like this can affect us in different and sometimes unexpected ways, so please keep in mind that we have counseling services available for any member of our community," Rutgers stated

Huey was friends with the three teens and was a graduate of St. Benedict Prep in Newark.

Velazquez was driving a 2003 Toyota Avalon on South Dupont Highway (Route 13) in Delaware at 10:14 a.m. in the left lane when "for unknown reasons" he drifted into the right lane, police reported.

Velazquez then drove off the road through a grassy area where the car hit a small rise in the ground which sent the vehicle airborne into an area of thick brush and trees, police reported.

The vehicle’s front end crashed into a large tree before stopping.

Velazquez sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was wearing a seat belt during the crash and impairment is not considered a factor on his behalf at this time, police said.

Huey was sitting behind Velazquez in the car without a seat belt and was partially ejected. He was pronounced deceased at the scene, police said.

The front seat passenger, Barillas, who was wearing a seat belt was transported to the Christiana Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The right rear passenger, Medina, was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected, landing a short distance away from the vehicle. He was removed from the scene by EMS and transported to the Christiana Hospital where he has been admitted in critical condition, police reported.

A puppy was also reportedly in the car and killed, according to the The News Journal.

The highway was closed for about three hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

Community members are mourning the loss of Velazquez and Huey and sharing their condolences on social media.

"I just saw a report that one of our brothers, Alfahtee Huey was one of the students who lost his life in a car crash - along with a Kearny High School graduate Adrian Velazquez. My family and my Saint Benedict's brothers are heartbroken and my condolences go out to these fine young men's families. Tonight - all of our brothers are hurting..." said one poster on Facebook.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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