Neighbors Mourn Monmouth Junction Family Killed in Car Accident

As a light drizzle fell from a somber night sky on Tuesday, friends and neighbors held a candlelight vigil outside the Monmouth Mobile Home Park residence of three family members killed in a car accident in Kentucky on Monday.

Kentucky State Police confirmed on Tuesday that Nicholas Bryer, 70, his daughter Dana Weber, 18, and Ms. Weber's 4-month-old daughter Avory Weber died when the vehicle Mr. Bryer was driving struck a tree. 

"They were just very nice and caring people," said Monmouth Mobile Home Park co-owner Debbie Roedel.  "Everyone here is upset and in shock.  This was such a tragedy." 

South Brunswick Police spokesman Sgt. James Ryan said the family was traveling to Indiana to attend an aunt's funeral at the time of the accident.

According to Kentucky State Police, Mr. Bryer was driving westbound on Interstate 64 in Frankfort, KY, around 1 p.m. on Monday, when his vehicle drifted off of the north side of the road and into the grass.

Evidence at the scene suggested Mr. Bryer then overcorrected his vehicle, which caused it to travel back across both lanes of the interstate where the vehicle then left the roadway and struck a clump of trees, according to police.

All three victims were pronounced dead at the scene.  Police said there were no signs of alcohol or drug use.  

About 20 people stood outside the family's residence on Jersey Avenue in the mobile park home Tuesday at 8 p.m., sharing embraces and tears.  Friends of Ms. Weber created a memorial for the victims, lining the front step of the family's home with candles and a large card filled with messages of grief and remembrance.  They stood silent and stared at the memorial, not wishing to speak as they tried to support each other through the tragedy.

"When something like this happens it just takes the heart right out of you," said Ms. Roedel's husband and park co-owner Arthur Roedel.  "It's absolutely heartbreaking.  People have been coming in and crying all day.  It's one of those things that's not easy to get over."

At the time of the crash, Mr. Bryer was wearing a seatbelt, but Ms. Weber was not, police said.  Avory was strapped securely into a car seat, according to police.

Ms. Roedel said the death of young Avory has hit residents particularly hard.

"That baby was just so cute and she put a smile on everybody's face," Ms. Roedel said.  "She was just a joy.  With any tragedy it's going to be difficult to deal with.   But the people in this park are like a big family.   Everybody is banding together and we'll help each other to get through it."

Kentucky State Police are continuing to investigate the accident.