Although these two young men loved life, it's a tragic shame that they didn't love it enough to keep it going a while longer. Between the two of them, surely they must have had enough sense to recognize that excessive speed is dangerous, driving distracted is dangerous, and combining those two things tempts fate almost to the point of certain disaster. Adding to the mix a dangerous, poor handling vehicle with a high center of gravity and an extended stopping distance just FURTHER increases the chances for a bad outcome.

IF THIS HORRIBLE TRAGEDY DOESN'T SET A SUFFICIENT EXAMPLE TO TEACH A LESSON TO OTHERS, WHAT MORE WILL IT TAKE??????

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It's so difficult to get teens to understand that they are not invincible. So, so sad.

It's not just teens... I see plenty of adults gabbing on the cell while driving.

I cannot tell you how many times I have seen people texting and talking on 80 and 287 while driving 75 mph and as Hookerman has pointed out not teens.

Please be careful when you read the story released by the police spokeman, it does not reflect the true facts, and they know it. There is no evidence that the cell phone was in actually use when the crach occurred, and the speed at which they hit the tree may not have been the speed at which they traveled the road. It certainly is known how fast they were traveling when they hit the tree, hundreds of feet from where they left their lane.

The MOPD has issued a revised comment at
http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201207102258/NJNEWS/307100041

This a far more accurate representation of what is actually known. I don't have a theory, I just know the facts, and the original comment did not accurately portray what is known. This later article (same police contact, better use of descriptive language) tells you what is known and what is not.

I am Dr. Denise Novaky, mother to Nick Novaky. When I arrived on the scene of the accident, a member of law enforcement mentioned that the accident scene was complicated in terms of understanding the cause of the crash. Nick's father and I decided to hire a private forensic team headed by a NJ Licensed Professional Engineer and includes other individuals with advanced knowledge of applied physics as well as retired law enforcement personnel. We took this action so that additional information would become available. Only recently have we reached out to Chief Spitzer of the Mt. Olive Police Department expressing our disagreement and anguish about the current news article. We have invited the Mt Olive Police Department, through a conversation with Chief Spitzer, to release an additional, public statement about the accident jointly with us. Chief Spitzer has been unable to respond to that request to date; I am not even sure whether making a joint, public statement is allowed within NJ law enforcement guidelines. At any rate, as Nick's mother and father, we will be making a public statement, hopefully in not more than a week or so. It is likely that we will buy advertisement space for that statement to ensure that we are quoted accurately.Our son stood tall and was vocal about about confronting injustice. Frequently, it would have been easier for him to forego making a point; Nick was not that type. His voice will again be heard through us,his mother and father.Be patient

SInce no one survived the crash, no one will ever really know what happened. There are many possibilities and I believe that law enforcement chooses the one that seems easiest to them. In reality no one knows who was on that phone, if indeed it was in use. It could have been the passenger picking up the phone since his friend was driving. Therefore it wouldn't have been a factor. And that area is full of small animals that race across the road. Mr. Novaky could have been simply trying to avoid hitting a rabbit and lost control of the car in a final act of compassion. The reality is we'll never know absolutely what has happened and perhaps it's time to focus on and remember the two wonderful young men lost to the community, their families and friends and not focus on how it happened. I'd rather remember the 18 and 19 years of life, not the moment of death.

Not if it was a spam call. Not if the call was lost and the caller didn't get a chance to hear who answered which happens frequently. Not if both the boys have similar-sounding voices. No where in these articles does anyone say they spoke to a caller. The articles only reference "cell phone records" Could that mean the voice mail picked up the call?

"The report says cell phone records show Novaky was speaking on the hand-held device just a moment before the accident, and was traveling at a rate of 64 miles per hour in a 40 mile per hour zone, according to Mt. Olive Police Officer Eric Anthony."

That means that the cell phone records show that the driver's cell phone was in use during the time of the accident. That also means that they know the # with whom the person on the phone was conversing. I'm sure the person on the other end of the line knows who he/she was talking to.

The cell may have been in use, but it doesn't mean the driver was using it. Could have been the passenger. Voice mail could have picked up an inbound call. They may know who was on the other end of the phone but they don't say so we don't know if it was a telemarketer, a wrong number, so those callers wouldn't know who answered. Neither do you.

does any of this matter now? unfortunately they are gone and thankfully no other vechicle was involved.

I'm certain the family would like definitive answers Joanne. Thats what it's all about at this point.

I know Dr. Denise Novaky for quite some time now and I am confident in her ability to work toward finding the truth and trust me, she will deliver it!! As with everything in life, speculation, random opinions and rumors only add to the anguish the family is going through. People should try and show some decency for a change and as Denise has stated to WAIT for the facts. Therefore, before you stereotype or otherwise shoot your mouths off with unwarranted opinions, again, WAIT for the facts to come out. Here is a wild suggestion, how about offering Prayers instead of OPINIONS!!

Greetings: I have been in telephone contact with Ms. Elizabeth Parker, co-publisher and executive editor for Recorder Publishing. Recorder Publishing publishes the Mt. Olive Chronicle as well as other local newspapers. I spoke with Ms.Parker via one, recent telephone call regarding a Letter to the Editor that I wish to have published in several Recorder newspapers. I found her to be a responsive and compassionate woman who was willing to help disseminate information regarding this horrible fatality. I expect that my statement will be printed in the next issues of Recorder newspapers and available online as well.

It does not surprise me that the rumor mill becomes overly active when a tragic accident, such as the one my son suffered, occurs. I have heard that such rumors that my son was traveling at 95 mph down Wolfe Road and read published statements that he was speeding while using a hand held device. Neither of these claims, as well as a plethora of others, are substantiated by fact. However, it is common for human beings to "Blame the Victim" when confronted with horrible tragedies. Nobody wants to believe that they or their precious child could be the victim of such a horror. As a defense, people blame the tragedy on a behavior in which they KNOW they or their child would never engage. The rumor mill becomes comforted because: "My child would never drive 95 mph down the road!" or "My child would never use a hand-held device while driving!" (continued below)

(continued from above). Well, there is no evidence to suggest that my child was driving 95 mph on Wolfe Road. In the one year he was a licensed driver and off his permit, he was never ticketed for excessive speed. Second, Nick had a cell phone holster attached inside the car for hands-free cell phone communication.

Unfortunately, I cannot provide my fellow parents comfort that this sort of accident required a behavior that is unusual and unlikely to occur to them or their children.

I hope you will read my letter that should be printed by Recorder Publishing. I intend to make as many facts public as needed to squash the rumor mill and unsubstantiated information that has been written about Nick..

As I am writing this, my brother came to my home unexpectedly to announce that my father has just died of natural causes. Can I get a break?

Greetings all...Both the chester and long valley patch networks have published my public statement online.

I have recently learned a piece of wisdom pertinent here: the truth outweighs the argument.

Lisa and Rita....thank you from the bottom of my heart

Comments in other venues have accused me of making excuses for my son's behavior in order to exonerate him.

I wrote the statement because, in the United States, nobody is permitted to issue statements as factual about another individual if those remarks cannot be substantiated by data.

The Mt. Olive Chronicle (online) posted an article which, in part, reads "...police determined that the car was traveling at about 64 mph on the road where the speed limit is 40 mph" (Posted: Monday, July 9, 2012 3:45 pm By PHIL GARBER). The article goes on to state dangers of hand-held cell phone use. That article was picked up by the Daily Record and Star Ledger.

Rumors started that Nick was driving 95 mph on Wolfe Road.

I don't know why my son swerved off the road and did not self correct at the curb. Maybe deer were running up the hill to jump the fence of the other side and head toward lush ground there that has fruit trees, maybe a drunk driver was swerving between lanes, maybe another car avoided an animal and got in Nick's lane, maybe it was driver inattention. I don't know; you don't know; and, unless new evidence has come forward, law enforcement does not know.

Nick died. He has no voice. As his parents, Todd and I are compelled to present factual information because Nick cannot do so for himself. That is the one and only reason I made a statement.

Mrs. Novaky, I am very, very sorry for your loss. You need to ignore and forgive the ignorant people who post on sites like this. They possess neither the intelligence nor grace to know when to keep their opinions to themselves. Be comforted that no one really cares what these foolish people think. You are doing what any good parent would do; you are sticking up for your child.

Thanks Domino. Thanks to Lisa Hummer and Rita and everyone else who has provided constructive insight and support. I intend to now go back to my comfort zone under the radar and live my life, tending to my family, my animals, and my life's work. Hopefully, no other extravagant mud slinging will occur against Nick and I can continue my quest for peace. Otherwise, I will rise up again as necessary.

I love the cudos that many have been giving me for speaking out but I have done nothing unusual. As a parent, could any of you really sit back and allow the press to sell papers via a sensationalized version of your child's death that you knew was not supported by fact and not the complete truth? You would allow the public to have an image of your child speeding down Wolfe Road doing over 60 mph and talking on the cell phone (called a toxic mixture in one article) and just turn your head? Really?

I doubt the majority of parents would allow that to happen. I am no hero, I am not brave. I am not overly protecting my child. I am a simple working mother trying to ensure that, if my child's behavior will be scrutinized by the public, that ALL the facts get published rather than only those that serve sensationalism.

May God Bless you all,
Dr. Denise Novaky.
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