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NJ High School Senior Dies Week Before Graduation: 'Promising Future Cut Short' NJ High School Senior Dies Week Before Graduation: 'Promising Future Cut Short'
NJ High School Senior Dies Week Before Graduation: 'Promising Future Cut Short' Support is on the rise for the mother of a 19-year-old Elizabeth man who recently died. Anthony Cruz passed away on June 11, according to his obituary. A GoFundMe launched for his mother, Sandra Santos, said he was on the brink of graduating from high school and embarking on a new chapter in life. "His achievements and plans for further education had made his mother incredibly proud, but his promising future was tragically cut short," reads the campaign launched by Melanie Martinez. A cause of death was not provided. I still can’t believe that your gone it feels like a bad dream you …

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Families Seek Help After Devastating Condo Fire In Mercer County Families Seek Help After Devastating Condo Fire In Mercer County
Families Seek Help After Devastating Condo Fire In Mercer County A nephew is appealing for help for his relatives after a fire destroyed their condominium in East Windsor. The fire broke out at about 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 10 in the K building of the American Way Condos on Avon Drive, as previously reported by Daily Voice. "This tragedy caused my family to lose everything," Odalys Garcia of Hightstown wrote on a GoFundMe page. A total of 24 condominium units were destroyed by the fire displacing 47 residents, officials said. Another GoFundMe campaign was started by Maria Carattini of Cedar Grove for her nephew's family. A separate GoFundMe cam…

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by Jon Craig
News
Former Bergen County Dad Fights For Better Life Quality For Disabled Son Former Bergen County Dad Fights For Better Life Quality For Disabled Son
Former Bergen County Dad Fights For Better Life Quality For Disabled Son Two steps forward, one step back. Lately, that's how progress looks for 17-year-old Jason Leider, a former Elmwood Park resident who lives with Hunter Syndrome, like his 15-year-old brother, Justin. The genetic and degenerative disease comes with a life expectancy of between 15 and 20 years, according to the boys' father, Jeff Leider. The disease impacts the entire body, most notably, making it impossible to break down waste. Leider — who recently moved to Florida from Elmwood Park with his wife, Deanna, Jason, Justin, and their daughter — credits two enzyme-replacement medications for the…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Mom Of Woman Killed In Trenton Hit-Run Lost 3 Kids In 5-Year Span Mom Of Woman Killed In Trenton Hit-Run Lost 3 Kids In 5-Year Span
Mom Of Woman Killed In Trenton Hit-Run Lost 3 Kids In 5-Year Span Support is on the rise for a Trenton mother who lost three of her four children in a five-year span. Toshawn West first lost her first-born, Nuna, then her second-born, Nyshirah, and now, her third, Shydasia Merrick. Merrick, 26, was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver at approximately 4:30 a.m. Saturday, June 1, as previously reported by Daily Voice. More than $2,900 had been raised as of Monday, June 10 on a GoFundMe that West launched for herself. "I have suffered over the years losing two of my other children as well. Mentally, I’m trying to hold myself together and it…

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by Jon Craig & Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Scooter Rider Killed By SUV On Route 1 Survived By Son, Wife, Campaign Says Scooter Rider Killed By SUV On Route 1 Survived By Son, Wife, Campaign Says
Scooter Rider Killed By SUV On Route 1 Survived By Son, Wife, Campaign Says Support is on the rise for the family of a 22-year-old man struck and killed by a vehicle on Route 1 in Edison. Raul Montoya-Chavez, of Edison, was hit in the southbound center lane of Route 1 at about 1:45 a.m. on Wednesday, May 15 as he tried to cross at Plainfield Avenue, Edison police said. Montoya-Chavez died of his injuries at an area hospital, police said. The 61-year-old Rahway man driving the SUV had a green light and is not expected to be charged, police said. A GoFundMe page raised for his funeral expenses had raised more than $3,400 as of press time. The page was laun…

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by Jon Craig & Cecilia Levine