Indian American youth killed in crash in New Jersey

HILLSBOROUGH, New Jersey — Ravi Naik, who died Saturday night in a three-vehicle crash on Route 287, will be remembered for his spirit and his dedication to his family, a friend said Sunday. 

The 23-year-old Hillsborough resident brought liveliness wherever he went, said former classmate Dharmin Desai. 

Naik was struck by a Ford passenger van after he exited his car in the right shoulder of Route 287 in Bernards Township around 10:30 p.m., due to a previous accident, New Jersey State Police said. The police said the accident is under investigation, and there are no charges at this time. Two other people were killed in the crash, but police have not released their identities.

Naik planned to have dinner with friends Saturday, Desai said. He said he did not know more about where Naik may have been going at the time of the accident. 

Naik and Desai went to Hillsborough High School together, and Naik graduated in 2010. In the years following, Naik ensured their friendship stayed intact, Desai said.

"He really wanted to keep relationships, so he'd always be the one to bring up conversations or get people to meet up," Desai said. "He didn't really care what you were doing, but wanted to be around you."

After Naik graduated from Rutgers University this year with a degree in statistics and economics, he began working as an analyst at advertising agency R/GA in New York. He enjoyed that job and eventually may have wanted to start his own business, like his father did, according to Desai. 

But Desai said Naik cared first and foremost about his family.

"The way he would structure his career was something that would give back to his parents," Desai said. "The biggest thing that comes to my mind when I think of him is him being family-oriented."

Naik was living at home with his parents and 18-year-old sister.

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