Fundraiser To Help Family Of South Brunswick Man Killed In Crash

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — An early morning crash last Sunday, took the life of Dayton resident Gerald Pellak III. The 22-year-old was a passenger in a pickup truck driven by a Pennsylvania man, that left the roadway and overturned, police said.

Since Pellak’s death, a fundraiser was launched to help his family cover funeral expenses.

“If you knew Jerry, you'd know how much he touched the lives of everyone around him. He always lit up the room wherever he was. He had a contagious smile and laugh. He will be missed dearly but the memories we have all created with Jerry will not be forgotten,” the GoFundMe organizer wrote.

Read More: South Brunswick Man Killed In Sunday Morning Crash: Police

In less than 24 hours, over $8,000 was contributed to honor his memory – exceeding the original $5,000 goal. The organizer has now set the fundraiser goal to $15,000 and the community has been contributing actively.

“Thank you all so much for your generous donations. Please continue to keep Jerry’s family in your thoughts and prayers,” the organizer wrote.

Pellak was born in Bucks County, PA, and has been a resident of South Brunswick since 2008. He graduated from South Brunswick High School in 2017. Pellak played Pop Warner Football as well as middle school and freshman football. Recently, he was employed by Prime Builders in South Brunswick, according to the obituary published in M.J Murphy Funeral Home.

“Jerry was a fun-loving son with a great sense of humor. He brightened up every room with his big smile and infectious laugh. Jerry had a heart of gold and was loved and respected by his family and he adored all of his family and friends. He was always looking to make every situation a memorable one,” his family wrote in the obituary.

A funeral service for Pellak will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at the M.J. Murphy Funeral Home 616 Ridge Road at New Road, Monmouth Junction. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the time of the service.

Meanwhile, the investigation into the crash is active and is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Officer William Beard of the South Brunswick Police Department at (732) 329-4000 ext. 7439, or Detective Jonathan Berman of the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office at (732) 745-4328.

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