"I found out the news at about 2 o'clock in the morning and I haven't slept since then," one student said.
Students at the yeshiva on East 15th Street are haunted by the details.
They can't imagine what their friend and teacher Moshe Berkowitz went through when drunk driving suspect Anel Kolenovic slammed into the 25-year-old's car, killing him.
"I'm sure the students are feeling very confused and scared. He taught 7th grade. The teacher that was here yesterday teaching them is now gone," teacher Dovid Reznitsky said.
Clutching a prayer book, Reznitsky told me how Berkowitz was a man of deep faith, committed to learning his religion.
He had been a teacher here for 2 years and a student for many more.
"He was devoted, dedicated, a great learner, a kind, kind person who was always trying to raise himself and get closer to God," Reznitsky said.
That all came to a sudden and violent end as Berkowitz was driving northbound on Ocean Avenue in his red Mercury Sable late Monday night.
He had no idea Kolenovic was heading his way. Police say Kolenovic was speeding in a Volkswagen Passat and drunk. His blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit.
When the cars got to Avenue N, they collided. Kolenovic crossed the double yellow and hit Berkowitz head on.
Berkowitz died at the hospital a few hours later.
The 23-year old suspect, who suffered minor injuries, also faces charges of running a red light.
---
Do you have something to add to this story? Click here to contact Eyewitness News.