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Paramus Wrestling Star, 21, Killed In Crash

Paramus wrestling star Alex Sebahie was killed in a crash on the Garden State Parkway in South Jersey before dawn New Year’s Day.

PHS wrestler Alex Sebahie

PHS wrestler Alex Sebahie

Photo Credit: Rich LaBarbiera FACEBOOK
Alex Sebahie

Alex Sebahie

Photo Credit: Paramus High School Wrestling Team

The Nissan Altima driven by Sebahie went off the parkway, hit a utility pole and came to rest on the roadway around 4:15 a.m., New Jersey State Police Trooper Lawrence Peele said.

Sebahie, 21, was pronounced dead at the scene, Peele said.

Visitation is scheduled for Sunday at the Vander Plaat Memorial Home with a funeral service and interment set for Monday.

Sebahie had been a star wrestler since elementary school. He graduated Paramus High School as one of two four-time state qualifiers in program history with the second-most wins in school history.

He went on to wrestle at Rider University, where he was a junior.

A GoFundMe was established to help the family meet funeral expenses.

"This was not God’s will for a young man whose future was so bright," said fellow Paramus wrestling mom Carol Daniele.

Sebahie wasn't only accomplished -- qualifying for the state tournament all four of his years at PHS, finishing sixth overall at 138 pounds in 2015 and eighth overall at 132 pounds in 2014.

He was also respected and admired.

Paramus wrestling coach Chris Falato remembered Sebahie not only as a fierce competitor but as a great person.

"He was an incredible part of our program and an incredible person," Falato said. "He touched the lives of everyone in the program."

"My thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this horrific time," Paramus Mayor Rich LaBarbiera said. "As a community we mourn for the Sebahie family."

Sebahie's dad, Issa Sebahie, said the prayers from the wrestling community have been a comfort.

I just want the wrestling community to know I am devastated and hurt more then words and been crying for hours because I lost my son and my best friend and the only thing that is cheering me up is all the prayers and support the wrestling community is giving us. Thank you hope no one will ever feel what I feel. Thank you and god bless all of you and your children.

Former teammate and four-time state high school wrestling champion Nick Suriano saw Sebahie recently.

“Alex was always real and respectful to me -- it went both ways," said Suriano, a Rutgers wrestler. "I always had respect for Alex, his brothers and his family. We climbed the rec and high school ranks together -- although at different schools still representing Paramus.

"My family and I extend our deepest condolences to the Sebahie family."

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