Mourning Daughter Pleads For Help, Info On Fatal Brick Crash

BRICK, NJ — Family members of a Brick Township man who was hit by a car on Herbertsville Road Monday evening are pleading for more information about the circumstances that led to his death.

John J. Celeste, 51, has been identified by his family as the man who died after being struck on Herbertsville Road. The driver of the car that hit him tried to perform CPR to save his life, Brick police said.

"This is my father who was hit by the car," Ashley Naverine "Navey" Celeste wrote in a post on the Brick Patch Facebook page. "Anyone with any information please I beg you call the police and tell them."

"My heart is in a million pieces," she wrote on a public post sharing the Patch report on the crash.

A family member set up a GoFundme campaign on behalf of Navey Celeste to help with the costs of her father's funeral and her expenses as she and her son drive to New Jersey to take care of his funeral arrangements.

"John was a wonderful father, pee pa and friend," the family member, Tabatha Ann, wrote. "He always touched the lives of those around him. ... John made a impact on everyone he has met."

"We want to give John the memorial he deserves, to honor his memory and say our last goodbyes," Tabatha Ann wrote.

The GoFundme campaign has a goal of $8,000,for those wishing to donate.

Police said the preliminary investigation found John Celeste and another man were walking north on the shoulder of Herbertsville Road when both men tried to cross the road near Havens Farm. John Celeste was struck, and the car, a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta that was traveling south, ran off the road; the other man was able to get across.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who has information is asked to contact Patrolman David Thergesen at 732-262-1140.

GoFundme is a Patch promotional partner.

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