Memories like this bring joy and tears to Phil Armstrong and his wife, Jessica.
“No matter what room Kiley walked in, she lit up the room, and Krista would be right there with her,” Phil Armstrong said, sitting in his Brick Township home.
Kiley and Krista Armstrong, Phil’s twin younger sisters, were inseparable. Their companions, Evan Fiore with Kiley and Ryan Chapman with Krista, were never far behind.
“The four were together almost every weekend,” Armstrong explained.
It was no different this weekend. On Friday night, while traveling home after a New Jersey Devils game, the unexpected occurred.
“This is the worst phone call you can get,” Ryan’s father, Anthony Chapman, explained.
Flowers, teddy animals, and even a hard hat sat at the crossroads of Routes 37 and 166 as a monument to the fatal vehicle crash. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office claims the driver was traveling at more than 100 mph.
Kiley Armstrong and Fiore died on the scene.
“I’m able to find a little bit of peace just knowing that they’re going to be together forever,” Armstrong said.
Jessica Armstrong said, “When they say a match made in heaven, they couldn’t have picked a better match.”
They were high school sweethearts. Kiley’s family says the 21-year-old was due to graduate from Rowan this spring with the goal of becoming a physical therapist. Fiore, they claim, was a welder who aspired to establish a business.
Gabriella Fiore, Evan’s 23-year-old sister, issued this statement:
“When I think of my brother, Evan, I think of someone who is so funny and quick witted. He brought a calmness to every room he walked into, but was always the first to make someone laugh. He was a foot taller than me and towered over me, but will forever be my little brother. He spent all of his time with his incredible girlfriend, Kiley, who helped him grow into a soft and wise man. Evan was an incredible snowboarder, hockey player, and welder. He put his whole self into his passions. Not only was he the goofiest and best little brother, but also a wonderful big brother to our younger sisters. They will adore him and his playfulness forever. Watching Evan grow up and fall in love with Kiley is the greatest gift I will ever receive. They were absolutely perfect for each other and loved loudly. I find peace in knowing that he will spend eternity doing his favorite thing: hanging out with the love of his life. Evan, I love you more than life.”
Ryan Chapman and Krista Armstrong survived the crash. The 19-year-old trade school student and Temple University senior training to be an actuary remain hospitalized with significant injuries.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of all who were involved in the tragic Route 37 crash this past Friday,” Temple University said in a statement. “Temple University’s Division of Student Affairs has been in close contact with the family of our student Krista, and we are assisting and offering support in any way we can. Out of respect for the privacy of the victims’ families, we will not be commenting further at this time.”
“He sat in that hospital bed crying daddy help me. It was killing me. I couldn’t take the pain. If I could take his place, I would’ve taken his place,” Anthony Chapman said.
Anthony Chapman described his son as his best friend. His girlfriend is also a twin.
“It seems like a movie. I feel like I’m living in a movie right now,” Anthony Chapman said.
Anthony Chapman says that all three families are asking for justice in this situation.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office stated that an unlicensed minor was apprehended and charged in the crime. The office referred further comment to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. A spokeswoman there stated that due to the defendant’s age, no further details regarding the case will be provided.
Reference: Couple killed, another couple injured after car crash in Toms River, New Jersey
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