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Navratri Revelry Ends In Tragedy

Alan Kravitz in Jersey City

It is difficult for friends and family members of the four killed in the car accident in Leonia to make sense of the tragedy.

"It is the festival time. It is the best time of the year for the immigrant families for we share our joys and success stories," said Yogesh Patel, a small businessman in Hoboken. Then he added, "I guess we should share the sorrows too."

He was referring to the four men who were returning home from an all-night Navratri celebration in Parsippany and were killed Monday morning when their car was struck head-on by another vehicle going the wrong way on the New Jersey Turnpike in Leonia.

The four men were among those driving to Mount Vernon, an hour's drive, after attending the celebrations at Parsippany High School, said Guarang Patel, who was in another car coming up behind.

According to State Police Sgt Brendan Clarke, seven men were seated in the three-year-old Buick when a Kia Sportage heading south on the wrong side of the highway hit them.

The police are investigating why Sohyoung Rhee-Kim, 26, was going the wrong way.

The three survivors of the crash, including Guarang Patel's brother, were in a serious condition in a hospital near Hoboken.

Rhee-Kim, in better condition, was in another hospital

Guarang Patel said going to the Navratri festivities is part of a tradition for him and his friends for the last 10 years. They came from a village near the Haridam temple in Shoeheda about 11 years ago.

Guarang Patel said there were 12 family members in two cars. He was driving the second car when he saw the Kia heading for the Buick.

"I began screaming and I hit the brakes. I began praying with my eyes closed," he said. Within seconds, he snapped back and was out of the car, trying to help his friends.

Driver Upendra M Patel, 23, of Norwalk, Connecticut, and passengers Amitkumar M Patel, 33, of Flushing, NY; his wife Jasmibhen J Patel, 26; and Sunilkumar A Patel, 30 of Mount Vernon were pronounced dead on the spot. Sunilkumar, who was thrown out of the car, died when he hit the road.

Guarang Patel's brother, Prerakbhai Patel, 21, was injured along with Samir Patel, 29, of Mount Vernon, and Pravine Patel, 39. All three were in the back seat with Jasmibhen J Patel.

The organizers of the Navratri celebration said they would ask the revelers to observe a minute-long silence next week. There are proposals to raise funds for the families.

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