Six individuals, including two popular high school football coaches, tragically lost their lives in a severe car accident near the Pulaski Skyway, Newark, New Jersey, late on the evening of Friday, December 6, 2024.
The accident occurred when the vehicle, carrying Lamar McKnight, 32, head football coach at Hudson Catholic Regional High School, his brother Darryl McKnight, 33, assistant coach Brad Cunningham, and three other individuals, swerved off Raymond Boulevard and crashed into a support column of the Pulaski Skyway on the Route 1-9 southbound on-ramp around 10:45 p.m. The car became airborne before striking the column and was engulfed in flames upon impact. The incident is currently under investigation by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, with high speed suspected as a contributing factor.
The McKnight brothers were pillars of their community. Lamar, in his role as head coach, was a key player in the rejuvenation of Hudson Catholic’s football program, bringing a vibrant energy and high standards to his team. His elder brother Darryl shared his dedication to guiding young athletes. Their mother, Natasha McKnight, expressed her deep sorrow over the loss of her sons, stating, “I loved my sons; they enjoyed life.” State Senator Angela McKnight, a family member, referred to the event as a “terrible loss” for both the family and the community.
Brad Cunningham, a former football player for Rutgers University, was acknowledged for his considerable contributions to the sport. Rutgers Football Head Coach Greg Schiano remarked that Cunningham “laid the foundation for the Rutgers football program” as an inaugural member of its recruiting class.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that Darnell Carr, 22, Bradley Cunningham, 41, and Veronica Bailey, 31, all of Jersey City, were also identified. The sixth victim remained unidentified to the public.
In the aftermath of this shocking event, Hudson Catholic Regional High School suspended classes on Monday and arranged for counselors to be available to comfort mourning students and staff. Steven Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City, and the Archdiocese of Newark offered their sympathies to the bereaved families. A candlelight vigil and balloon release were organized to honor the victims, reflecting the profound sense of loss experienced by the community.
According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, this calamity may be the largest single-car motor vehicle accident in the vicinity in the last 40 years.
