Victims identified in horrific Freehold car wreck as investigation continues

FREEHOLD, N.J. (WABC) -- The investigation continues Wednesday into the horrific crash in Freehold, New Jersey, that left three people dead and another in critical condition.

And now, the identities of the some of the victims are being released.

The prosecutor's office confirms that the couple riding in one of the vehicles, a Volkswagen Jetta, are 20-year-old Noelle DeLuccio and 19-year-old Nicholas Dever. The driver of another involved SUV, a Honda Pilot, was 50-year-old Thomas Koller.

The wreck involved several vehicles and happened around 4 p.m. Tuesday on the Kosloski Road overpass at Route 33.

Authorities say the Jetta was heading southbound when it crossed the center line and slammed head-on into the Pilot, which went airborne and landed on top of a Toyota Camry.

The occupants of the Jetta and Pilot were all killed. A fourth person, the 25-year-old male driver of the Camry, was hospitalized with what was described as a massive head injury.

Investigators are trying to determine why the Volkswagen crossed the center line.

Teenager Mike Minutillo knew Koller, a father of two.

"He was just a nice, loving person," he said. "He always took care of his daughters and always did what was right for his family and just to see him gone like that. It doesn't seem like one of those people it would happen to."

DeLuccio and Dever were new parents of a baby welcomed on New Year's Day of this year.

It is unclear whether speed was a factor, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. The road has a 50 mph limit.

"The unfortunate reality is that both of those individuals who were in that car ultimately passed away as a result of this collision, so I don't know if we're ever going to know for sure," Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Mark LeMieux said.

Anyone with information on the wreck should call 800-533-7443 or (732) 462-7908.