'Special Person:' Manahawkin Restaurant Owner Killed In Crash

MANAHAWKIN – Timothy Kohlheim was already a popular restaurant owner at 36, a sign of the kind of "special person" he was, friends said.

The owner of the Shore Fire Grille in Manahawkin always had a well-thought out plan within minutes, no matter how complex or simple it was to pull off, according to friends.

And Kohlheim would perfect it and always have success.

"Whether it was helping a sick friend make it to the top of old Barney or plan something like the house tour, this man was willing to do anything for this amazing community we call home," according to his GoFundMe page.

Now the father of two is gone, killed after he crashed into a construction vehicle overnight, police said.

Already, the tributes have been pouring in Kohlheim, described as a rising, intelligent and bedrock member of the Manahawkin business community, as his restaurant closed on Friday.

"For the few years I know him he was simply amazing with all the good he had with in him," according to his GoFundMe page, which had far exceeded its $1,000 goal by 1 p.m. on Friday.

"We would start in April of every year to get Surf City ready for the crazy summer months and he would go non-stop until October, working everyday for his family and keep two local businesses running," according to the page, which was set up by Chris Laba. "In the middle he would still find ways to help people who were suffering from a illness."

The crash was discovered when the Stafford Township Police Department responded to a motor vehicle collision at 9:30 p.m on Route 72 westbound Thursday in the area of Marsha Drive, police said.

A preliminary investigation indicates a 2015 Ford van operated by Kohlheim was traveling west on Route 72 in the left lane, police said. He collided into the rear of a vehicle that was preparing to set up for a left lane closure, police said.

That vehicle was driven by Nicholas Manzoni, 25 of Little Egg Harbor. Manzoni and a passenger, Ric Peters, 24, of Little Egg Harbor, sustained minor injuries from the collision. They were both transported to Southern Ocean Medical Center for treatment.

Kohlheim sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. This area of Route 72 was closed to traffic during the investigation for approximately three hours.

The Stafford Township Fire Company, EMS and MONOC paramedics assisted at the scene. The collision is currently under investigation by Traffic Safety Officer Justin Pascale.

Services were not immediately available, but his GoFundMe page appeared ready to help his family in their time of need.

"His beautiful wife is still in shock, and I don’t even know if she would need this, but they have two beautiful young girls who call me uncle and anything could help," Laba said. "If this tragedy happened to my family he would 100 percent do the same."