A local teen died last week in a Bergen County all terrain vehicle (ATV) accident.
On Sept. 4 at about 5:15 p.m., three Lyndhurst police officers and other first responders were called to a swamp area east of Jerome Avenue, by the Meadowlands. A Suzuki LTZ 450R ATV, operated by Paul Celmer, 17, of Little Falls, went over a six feet tall embankment, during a sharp turn. The vehicle came to rest on its side, pinning the victim under about a foot of mud and water, according to Detective Capt. John Valente of the Lyndhurst Police.
According to Valente, a 16-year old friend of the Celmer’s, who was watching him ride, witnessed the accident. Finding no cell phone signal, she headed about one quarter mile to Jerome Avenue. She encountered two employees of Cambridge Pavers by the company’s yard and headed back to the scene with them. While en route, the girl managed to get cell phone reception and called 9-1-1.
Police originally planned to meet the caller at the end of Jerome Avenue. When they arrived, they had search for the girl. Valente said it took authorities a short time to get to find her, adding the process entailed GPS signal tracking, and further questions from the police dispatcher.
"She did everything she could," he said, about getting help as quickly as possible.
Valente said officers located the caller, who then led them to the accident scene. He said police did not immediately see the victim through green algae covered water. The captain said Celmer was quickly discovered after his boots were spotted. He said the officers lifted the ATV from the victim, and pulled him to the ground.
Valente said emergency workers tired to revive the victim through CPR with negative results. The captain said Celmer was pronounced dead just before 6:30 p.m.
An autopsy revealed that drowning was the cause of death, Valente said, adding that the swamp, although only 12 inches deep, was fast sinking. He said the investigation into the accident is continuing.
The impact of Celmer’s death was abundantly noted on his MySpace page www.myspace.com/suzuki111. More than 75 of his friends left loving messages on the dirt-bike themed site recalling Celmer’s friendship and personality.
Funeral services for Celmer were held Sept. 10 at St. Brendan Roman Catholic Church in Clifton and arrangements were handled by Lakeview Memorial Home in Clifton.
According to Lakeview, he was the son of Craig and Christine Celmer. Grandson of Charles and Linda Lowenberg and the late Paul and Cindy Celmer. Great grandson of the late Stephanie Celmer and Betty Lowenberg. Nephew of the late David Celmer. He is also survived by uncles Kirk, Matthew and Brad Celmer and Jon Lowenberg, great uncles Matt Celmer, James Guerrieri, great aunt Carol Guerrieri, godparents uncle Glenn Celmer and Alison Bourhill-Tumser, along with other uncles, aunts and cousins.
Born in Paterson, Celmer lived in Fair Lawn before moving to Little Falls five years ago. He was a junior at St. Mary's High School, Rutherford. He also worked at South City Grill in Rochelle Park as a server.
