South Jersey rallies behind family of 2-year-old killed in crash

Residents have rallied around the Martinez family, whose 2-year-old son and was killed when he and his siblings were struck by a car Tuesday night, by establishing two funds.

Jyonshiel Martinez, 2, was killed on Buddtown Road in Southampton Tuesday night when he and his siblings were walking down the middle of the road and struck by a car driven by Thomas Xenakis. Jyonshiel and Kahariel Martinez, 6 were being pulled in a wagon by Jairisa Galindo, 18.

New Jersey State Police say no charges are likely against Xenakis as speed, drugs and alcohol were not a factor in the accident.

Southampton Township Mayor James Young has established a trust fund for the family at the Investors Bank branch on Main Street. Checks made payable to "Southampton Township" with "The Martinez Family" written on the memo line may be sent to 54 Main Street, Southampton, NJ 08088.

A GoFundMe account has also been created by people connected to Superior Landscaping of Shamong. Owner Earl Vought wrote on the fundraising page that the children's father, Abel Martinez, has worked for Superior for 15 years.

"I consider him and his family my family," and said he is godfather to Jyonshiel and Kharieles. Superior Landscaping has created another fund at Beneficial Bank on Route 206 in Tabernacle.

6 ABC reports friends and family gathered at the Martinez home on rural Buddtown Road, a narrow roadway, to offer support for the recovering family members and condolences for a lost son.

A spokeswoman for Cooper University Hospital in Camden declined to comment to New Jersey 101.5 condition of the hospitalized children.