Eliyahu Schepansky Killed in USPS Tractor-Trailer Crash in Hamilton, NJ
The crash occurred when a car attempted a left turn from the right lane across the path of a USPS tractor-trailer
Eliyahu Schepansky, 18, of Lakewood, was killed in a motor vehicle accident on U.S. Route 130 near First Responders Way in Hamilton, Mercer County, New Jersey, on Sunday, April 12, according to the Hamilton Police Division.
The southbound Mazda CX-3 attempted a left turn from the right lane across the middle lane, cutting directly in front of a United States Postal Service tractor-trailer that had a green light. The crash sent both vehicles over a grass median and into the northbound lanes.
Schepansky, the passenger, died at the scene.
The Mazda's driver, a 19-year-old man, was taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center in critical condition. The 43-year-old truck driver was taken to RWJ Hospital with undisclosed injuries.
Officer P. Welsh of the Hamilton Police Traffic Unit is leading the investigation into the collision.
Why did the Mazda turn from the right lane on Route 130?
Investigators are working to determine why the driver of the car attempted to cross multiple lanes of traffic to make a left turn. In motor vehicle accidents such as this, crash reconstructionists analyze intersection geometry, signal timing, and driver decision-making to establish liability.
National Legal Analyst Andrew Finkelstein, Managing Partner of Jacoby & Meyers, noted that "I've seen families blindsided by how quickly a simple left turn can turn deadly. Data shows that these turns account for over twenty percent of all fatal intersection crashes because drivers don't always judge speed correctly."
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4,354 people died in large truck crashes nationwide in 2023, with passenger vehicle passengers accounting for 65 percent of those death.
What are the rights of a passenger in a fatal Hamilton crash?
Passengers killed in motor vehicle collisions are rarely at fault, leaving their families in a position to seek accountability from the drivers involved. When a crash involves a government entity like the USPS, the investigative process becomes significantly more complex, requiring examination of federal safety protocols and driver records.
Finkelstein added that "The data on heavy truck collisions tells a different story than most people expect. It’s a fact that an eighty-thousand-pound rig needs nearly two football fields to stop when traveling at highway speeds."
Families of victims like Schepansky often face immediate financial and emotional burdens while waiting for official crash reports to be finalized. Independent investigations frequently run parallel to police inquiries to preserve critical evidence from the crash scene.
New Jersey wrongful death statute
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:31-1, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. New Jersey applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and the estate's losses.