Three young adults identified in South Brunswick fatal crash

Authorities have identified the three young adults who were killed in a multi-vehicle crash on Route 1 in South Brunswick earlier his month.

The three were riding in a van headed to an adult day program in Princeton. Maria Passalaris, 25, of Montgomery, and Daniel Vida, 28, of West Windsor, attended the program for those with disabilities at the Red Ribbon Academy, while the third, Charisse Nelson-Bailey, 24, of Princeton Junction, was a staff member and the driver of their vehicle.

The crash, involving the victims’ Sprinter van and a tractor-trailer, remains under investigation, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, which added the truck driver escaped with minor injuries.

Around 9:36 a.m. April 12, police responded to Route 1 and Ridge Road for a report of a crash where the tractor-trailer had struck the van in the intersection. The van and tractor-trailer traveled about 100 yards north of the intersection where both vehicles caught fire.

Passalaris was a loving and sweet soul who will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved her, according to her obituary. She loved swimming, horseback riding, family, friends, parties and travel and was a Special Olympics athlete.

Vida enjoyed the love of his family, friends and caretakers, as well as the sounds of nature and music, good food, and kind smiles, while being remembered for his own kind smile, according to his obituary.

Nelson-Bailey radiated warmth, kindness, and an adventurous spirit, her obituary said. She had an inspiring strength of character, a vibrant personality, a love for animals, passion for hairstyling and keen sense of humor.

Jimmy Clark, a music therapist at Red Ribbon, grieved the loss of his friends whom he called family.

"These souls at the center are already so vulnerable, and their journeys are far from easy," he wrote on Facebook. "Without realizing it, they serve us at the center as much as we serve them. It’s an exchange. These people draw humanity out of those willing to travel with them through life, hand in hand. The word 'clients' or 'residents' falls grossly short of describing the connection shared. My heart is broken, and I utterly grieve this devastating loss. To my dear friends, may you find release from the struggles this life charged you with, and know that where you couldn’t walk before, you now fly. My sincerest condolences to the family and friends of these wondrous beings."

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call Officer Bryan Sites of the South Brunswick Police Department at 732-329-4646 or Sgt. Jonathan Berman of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-4328.

email: cmakin@gannettnj.com

Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter forMyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or@CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.