Three friends die together when car veers off South Jersey road

VINELAND — Three close friends died together in a single-vehicle accident here, police say.

Ian P. Rodriguez, 23, described in a funeral fundraising appeal as the "happiest young man," was driving a car that veered off Mays Landing Road near Panther Road around 8:25 a.m. Aug. 17.

Separate appeals sought burial costs for two passengers — JoQuan Carter, a 26-year-old father of two, and Shamere Bryant, 24.

All were Millville residents.

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A GoFundMe appeal on Carter's behalf said he had recently started his own business, Carter's Neighborhood Heating and Cooling Solutions.

The appeal requested contributions for "the respectful and heartful farewell he deserves," wrote his mother, Charnee Anderson.

An appeal for Rodriguez described him as "adventurous" and "always with a smile on his face."A third appeal sought contributions for Bryant's services.

"This sudden and unexpected tragedy has left us in a state of shock and grief, and we are struggling to come to terms with this enormous loss," said the appeal.

It thanked donors for their generosity "in this unimaginable time."

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Police say Rodriguez was driving at high speed when his westbound vehicle hit a utility pole, overturned and struck irrigation equipment on a corner of the intersection.

The two passengers were ejected. All three men were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call Vineland Police Officer Anthony Capelli at 856-691-4111, extension 4350.

Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey 36 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times.

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This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Crash kills Ian Rodriguez, JoQuan Carter and Shamere Bryant