Bryan Aguilar Castillo Death, Obituary – A deadly car crash on the Taconic State Parkway in Westchester County, New York, on Wednesday, claimed the lives of three men from Monmouth County, New Jersey, including Bryan Aguilar Castillo, 45, of Asbury Park. The crash, which occurred around 5:45 p.m. in the town of Newcastle, was a horrific and violent collision that left four dead and one in critical condition.
The incident involved a two-vehicle crash, which also killed Bergenfield football coach Rob Violante, 45, of Granite Springs, New York. Violante, who was driving a 2024 Honda Accord in the northbound passing lane, was rushed to a nearby hospital but tragically succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving. Meanwhile, the three Monmouth County men—Bryan Aguilar Castillo, Odenis Balladares Martinez, 20, of Neptune, and Harrison Mauricio Reyes Rivera, 34, of Long Branch—were passengers in a 2014 Ram ProMaster van driven by Yader A. Reyes, 50, of Long Branch.
According to the New York State Police, the crash occurred when the van, which was traveling south on the Taconic State Parkway, crossed the center median into the northbound lanes. There, it collided head-on with Violante’s Honda Accord. The force of the crash caused the van to overturn and burst into flames. Sadly, the three Monmouth County men in the van were unable to escape and were pronounced dead at the scene.
Violante, a beloved football coach at Bergenfield High School, was initially rushed to the hospital, but despite efforts to save him, he died from his injuries. The driver of the van, Yader Reyes, sustained critical injuries and was taken to Westchester Medical Center, where he remained in a critical condition as of Thursday night.
Bryan Aguilar Castillo, originally from Asbury Park, New Jersey, was one of the victims in this tragic crash. At 45 years old, Bryan had built a life in the tight-knit Asbury Park community, where he was known as a loving family member and a respected individual. His untimely death leaves behind friends, family, and coworkers who mourn the loss of someone who had so much more to give.
Though specific details of his personal life are still being gathered, it is clear that Bryan’s passing has sent shockwaves through those who knew him best. Asbury Park, a city famous for its strong sense of community, now mourns the loss of one of its own, and the grief felt by his loved ones will undoubtedly be long-lasting.
The tragedy has sent ripples of sadness through the Monmouth County community, where all three of the deceased men were from. Odenis Balladares Martinez, a 20-year-old from Neptune, and Harrison Mauricio Reyes Rivera, a 34-year-old from Long Branch, had their lives ahead of them when the crash took them from their families far too soon. Like Bryan, both were beloved by their communities, and their passing marks a significant loss to those who knew them.
It’s important to note the connection between these three men: they were not just victims in this tragic event; they were part of a larger community. Their passing, particularly in such a violent and abrupt manner, leaves an indelible mark on the neighborhoods of Neptune, Long Branch, and Asbury Park.
Investigation Underway: What We Know So Far
The cause of the crash is still under investigation by the New York State Police. As of now, no definitive cause has been determined, and authorities are working diligently to understand the circumstances surrounding the crash. Preliminary reports suggest that the 2014 Ram ProMaster van, driven by Yader A. Reyes, may have crossed the center median before the crash occurred. While Reyes was critically injured, police have not yet determined whether other factors, such as impaired driving or mechanical failure, played a role in the tragedy.
What is certain, however, is the impact this crash has had on the families of the victims, the Monmouth County community, and the town of Bergenfield, where Coach Violante was a local hero. Those who were close to the victims are left to grapple with the emotional fallout, and the community must come together in the face of such a senseless tragedy.
A Heartbreaking Reminder of the Dangers on Our Roads
This crash is another sobering reminder of the dangers present on the road, particularly on highways like the Taconic State Parkway, where high speeds and sharp curves can create hazardous conditions. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but the effects of this tragedy are already felt deeply within the communities involved.
As more details emerge from the investigation, the families of the victims and their friends will continue to grieve and seek answers. For now, however, we can only reflect on the lives of Bryan Aguilar Castillo, Odenis Balladares Martinez, Harrison Mauricio Reyes Rivera, and Rob Violante, and remember them as individuals who meant so much to those around them.
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