LAKEWOOD, NJ – Congested. Overcrowded. Hostile. Crazy. Those are four words commonly used to describe the roadways in Lakewood Township, but this weekend a new word was added, deadly. On Saturday, as blood boiled between two road raging drivers, an innocent life was taken, 26-year-old newlywed Sean Avon, of Brick Township.
According to police, a road rage incident between an 18-year-old Lakewood driver and a 73-year-old man from Brick turned deadly when one of their cars struck Avon’s Ford Mustang head-on after crossing into his lane after striking each other.
Police said road rage was the apparent cause of the accident between the two men, nearly three generations apart.
At approximately 5:15 p.m., Lakewood Township Police were summoned to the area of Lanes Mills Road for a report of a serious motor vehicle crash. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Squad, Lakewood Township Police Department, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that Pam was driving a 2021 Ford Van in the rightmost lane of travel on Lanes Mills Road when he struck a 2019 Honda CRV being driven by John Arendt, Jr., 73, of Brick Township.
The force of the collision propelled Mr. Arendt’s vehicle into the northbound lane of traffic where it struck a 2012 Ford Mustang head-on being driven by Mr. Avon. Further investigation revealed that a verbal altercation had occurred between Pam and Mr. Arendt which precipitated the motor vehicle crash.Mr. Avon suffered serious injuries as a result of the crash; he was transported to Ocean Medical Center in Brick Township, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
Avon leaves behind his wife of just three weeks who he was on his way home to see.
“Two individuals got into a road rage altercation that caused a 3 car accident. Sean Avon was an innocent bystander driving home from working late at work, just hoping to get home to his wife of three weeks,” said Heather Mae Wisser who is now organizing a GoFundMe fundraiser to help the new widow. “One of the cars ended up hitting Sean’s car head on and killed him on impact. Sean was supposed to be having a ceremony in October to celebrate his marriage with all his friends and family.”
Wisser said Sean was only 26 years old and had the plans of starting a family with his new wife Jess Culver within the next few years.
“Because of a 18-year-old and a 72-year-old [73] getting into a fight on the road so many lost a friend, a brother, and a soulmate. His life was taken too soon and now his wife needs to find a way to get through this tragic situation that never should have happened to her husband,” she said. “We are asking for donations to help her get through the finances that comes with planning a funeral. Because of the decisions of two grown adults we all lost a beautiful soul yesterday.”
Avon’s killer, Avrohom Pam, 18, of Lakewood, was charged with Vehicular Homicide.
Arendt was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment of his injuries; he is listed in stable condition. Pam remained on the scene and did not require medical attention. Pam was transported to Ocean Medical Center for a blood draw, pursuant to a court-authorized warrant. Pam was subsequently processed at Lakewood Township Police Headquarters and transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is currently lodged pending a detention hearing.
“Initial investigation reveals that this is a tragedy of epic proportions for Mr. Avon and his family and an unfortunate consequence of aggressive driving. This investigation is active and ongoing and may result in additional charges,” Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer stated.
Anyone is possession of information concerning this investigation is urged to contact Detective Anthony Carrington, III, of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-9027, or Detective Patrick Kearns of the Lakewood Township Police Department at 732-363-0200,” Prosecutor Billhimer concluded.
