7 Die – Including Beloved Cop – During Tragic NJ Weekend

Seven people died in tragic New Jersey accidents that claimed the life of a police officer, a man in a burning car and several highway travelers this past weekend.

A house also exploded during a Woodbridge sleepover party that hurt at least 13 people, including 7 children. Two people had their hair set on fire. A 10 year-old boy also performed a heroic feat that saved at least one life, according to reports. Read more...

The death of Paterson Police Officer Tamby Yagan, 41, meanwhile, drew tributes from law enforcement and officials who praised the beloved cop for his bravery and generosity.

Yagan crashed into a parked car on Sunday, according to the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office. The incident is under investigation.

Jerry Speziale, director of the Paterson Police Department, said Yagan's death "is an enormous loss for the family and the Paterson Police."

Yagan, he said, was respected and loved by his fellow officers and "we miss him already. We are supporting the family during this difficult time and our thoughts and prayers are with them as they deal with this."

"Yagan was the father of a young son and a member of the Paterson PD since 2005," the Port Authority PBA said in a Twitter post. "Lord, keep Tamby in your eternal embrace." Read more...

Also:

• Two people were killed Saturday morning in a three-car crash on a South Jersey highway, police said. Asphalt spilled on the highway and shut it down for hours. The victims have been identified. Read more...
• A fatal crash took place on the Garden State Parkway on Sunday, police said. One person was killed in the crash in Middle Township, according to the State Police. Read more...
• One person was killed after being struck by a NJ Transit train in Monmouth County, according to a spokesman. The person, who has not yet been identified, was fatally struck by a train at 1:45 a.m. Sunday near Bridgewaters Drive in Oceanport, Jim Smith, a spokesman for NJ Transit, told Patch. Read more....
• A man was found dead inside a car that was on fire in Jersey City on Friday night and early Saturday morning, authorities said. The Hudson County Prosecutor's Office confirmed the man, who was not identified, was found early Saturday after the fire was extinguished. Read more...
• A fatal crash on the Garden State Parkway killed a 69-year-old Manahawkin man on Sunday, police said. Ernest Zahn man was driving northbound at 11:30 a.m. on the Garden State Parkway when his vehicle struck a guardrail in Berkeley Township, police said. Read more...

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