Grieving Family Of NJ Dad, Kids Who Died In Wrong-Way Crash Prepare For Services

NEWTON, NJ — Loved ones are preparing for the funerals of three cherished family members after a wrong-way crash in North Jersey that killed a father and his two children, along with a 22-year-old driver.

Andrew Benavente of Newton and his children Andrew Jr. and Madelyn died after a fiery head-on collision Saturday afternoon in Andover Township, near Sparta. Benevente was 35 years old; Andrew Jr. was 13 and Madelyn was 6, according to police and family members. Original article — Fiery NJ Crash Kills Retired Cop, 2 Children, Other Driver: Officials

Andrew's wife, Digna Melendez-Benavente, was not with them at the time. More than 1,500 people have donated to an online fundraiser to help her and the Benavente and Melendez families with funeral and medical costs, raising upwards of $95,000 as of Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

There will be a funeral Thursday in Belleville and a Catholic Mass on Friday in Newark, where Benavente served as a police officer before retiring. Benavente was also a former Essex County Sheriff's Office deputy, and worked for Somerset Hills Towing at the time of his death.

"Andy enjoyed cars, nic-nacs, video games, and his family," reads his obituary with Megaro Memorial Home.

Family remembered Andrew Jr., or "AJ," as someone who was "a real comedian." He was a seventh-grade student at Halsted Street Middle School. AJ also enjoyed "video games and reading," says the obituary.

Madelyn, or "Maddy," was a preschool student at Camp Auxilium School according to her obituary page. Her long list of interests included "arts and crafts, dance parties, makeup, butterflies, unicorns and singing."

Andrew’s brother-in-law Edwin Melendez has been posting updates on the GoFundMe page, and said he will provide details if anything changes.

“Your unwavering support during this difficult time has been a source of strength for our family, and we are immensely grateful for your presence, prayers, and contributions,” Melendez wrote on Wednesday.

A funeral service for Andy, AJ, and Maddy will be Thursday, June 1 from 4-8 p.m. at Megaro Memorial Home Inc. (503 Union Ave, Belleville, NJ 07109).

“This will be an opportunity for us to gather together, pay our respects, and honor the lives of Andrew, AJ, and Madelyn,” said family members.

A Mass will be Friday, June 2 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church (172 Broadway, Newark, NJ 07104). They will then be entombed at Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum.

“We invite you to join us in this solemn tribute to celebrate the lives and memories of our cherished loved ones,” the family said.

They are survived by Digna Melendez-Benavente, who is Andrew’s wife and the children’s mother; Andrew’s parents Adelino Sr. and Sylvia; his brother Adelino Jr.; his sister Natalie; his grandmothers Hortensia Benavente and Matilde Gonzalez; and the children’s cousins.

The crash happened around 4:07 p.m. May 27 on Newtown-Sparta Road in Andover Township. Andrew and the children were eastbound on the road in a 2001 Ford pickup truck, officials said.

Police the driver of a 2021 Jeep Rubicon, who was identified as Bruce Cseh of Blairstown, was going westbound and crossed over the double yellow lines. The vehicles collided, and Benavente’s Ford Ranger caught fire with the family members trapped inside according to Andover Township police.

"First responders utilized fire extinguishers and attempted life saving measures but the flames had become too intense," police said.

Andrew, AJ, and Madelyn were pronounced dead at the scene, said police.

First responders were able to pull the Jeep away from the Ford Ranger and extinguish the flames.

Crews used the "jaws of life" to extricate Cseh from the Jeep, and transported him to Morristown Hospital via helicopter. Medical staff pronounced the 22-year-old dead at the hospital due to his injuries, said police.

The Andover Township Police Department is investigating the crash, along with the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office and the Sussex County Sheriff's Department Crash Team. At this time, officials have not put forward a reason for why Cseh may have drifted over the center lines.

Madelyn Perez, who is Digna’s mother and the children’s grandmother, will manage the spending for funeral arrangements and other expenses while Digna continues to grieve according to Edwin Melendez.

“We want to express our sincere gratitude for your incredible generosity and the outpouring of love and support,” he said. “Your contributions are making a significant difference, and we are committed to keeping you updated on the progress of the funeral arrangements and the allocation of funds.”