19-Year-Old's Family Heard Sirens Following Route 208 Crash That Killed Him

By Cecilia Levine From Daily Voice

Shock and sadness spread through Fair Lawn in the wake of a Thanksgiving Eve crash that killed a 19-year-old man.

Alex Popov was identified by a GoFundMe campaign as the victim killed on Wednesday night, Nov. 26 in the Route 208 rollover crash.

The campaign by Jordan Stallone says Popov's family heard the sirens following the crash near the southbound ramp from Saddle River Road under the overpass. After making several unanswered phone calls to Popov and seeing his location not change, they rushed to the scene, Stallone recalled.

Popov was pronounced dead, "despite the quick response of emergency services," Stallone said. "The loss has left his loved ones and the entire community in deep shock and grief.

"Alex was known for his unique energy and beautiful soul. He touched the lives of everyone around him with his kindness, wisdom, sense of humor, and ambitious spirit. He was a second-year computer science student at Bergen Community College and had many creative, entrepreneurial ventures and plans for his future."

At the scene

Melissa Feola for Daily Voice

Popov's obituary on the Vander Plaat Colonial Funeral Home website says he was born in Montréal, Canada, and moved to Fair Lawn as boy and graduated from Fair Lawn High School.

He was passionate about bicycling and "the freedom of being outdoors, computer gaming where he connected with friends near and far, and martial arts, which gave him focus and discipline," his obituary reads.

"Most recently, he fell in love with chess — a game that suited his sharp mind and patient personality. Whether he was learning something new or diving deep into a hobby, he approached everything with enthusiasm, determination, and an ambitious spirit that inspired those around him. But beyond his interests, what people will remember most is the kind young man he was. Alex had a quiet strength, a warm smile, and a way of making others feel valued. He listened carefully, cared deeply, and was always willing to help those around him. His life, though far too short, touched many people, and his absence will be felt in countless ways."

Alex is survived by his loving father, Oleksiy, his devoted mother, Tatiana Matvienko, and his sisters, Mariya and Katerina Popova; and his grandparents in Ukraine.

More than $19,000 had been raised on the campaign as of press time. Click here to donate and here to see Popov's obituary complete with service details.