Caryn Coon Obituary, Death: 22-Year-Old College Student Killed in Garden State Parkway Crash

Caryn J. Coon, a 22-year-old college student from Forked River, New Jersey, has died following a multi-vehicle crash on the Garden State Parkway in Toms River on October 24, 2026. Her sudden passing has left family members, friends, and the college community mourning the loss of a young woman remembered for her warmth, energy, and kindness.

According to reports citing New Jersey State Police, the collision occurred in the northbound lanes near milepost 87, close to the Toms River toll plaza. Investigators said a Genesis passenger vehicle had become disabled in the center lane, prompting a Freightliner tractor-trailer to stop behind it.

Coon was driving a Honda sedan when her vehicle struck the rear of the truck, left the roadway, and traveled down a grassy embankment. She sustained fatal injuries. A second vehicle, a Ford SUV, subsequently struck the same truck. Lauren J. Maturo, 32, who was a passenger in the SUV, also died. The SUV’s driver was seriously injured, while the truck driver sustained minor injuries. The crash remains under investigation.

Coon was pursuing a degree in kinesiology and health sciences at The College of New Jersey, where she was also involved with the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority. Tributes shared by those close to her described her as fun-loving, energetic, and compassionate—a person who could lift someone’s spirits and offer support when it was needed most.

A fundraiser has been established to help her family with funeral, wake, and other immediate expenses as they navigate this difficult time. The campaign has also provided an opportunity for friends and supporters to share their condolences and celebrate the memories they hold of her.

As loved ones grieve, Caryn Coon is being remembered for the joy she brought to those around her and the connections she built during her 22 years. Her death is a painful loss for her family, friends, and the wider college community.