Accident claims life of well-known trainer

BY BRIAN DONAHUE Staff Writer

EAST BRUNSWICK — A 57-year-old Highland Park man who, for many years worked as a personal trainer in the township, was killed last week in a motor vehicle on Route 18.

The accident at 6:13 p.m. Nov. 19 resulted in the death of Salah Elalfy, who was on his way home from work in a 2001 Toyota Corolla when it was struck from behind by a tractor-trailer, according to a press release from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Bruce J. Kaplan and East Brunswick police.

The accident occurred near the intersection of Route 18 north and Naricon Place.

Officials said a preliminary investigation revealed that Ivan Kotubey, 54, of Spotswood, was driving a 2006 Volvo tractor-trailer in the right lane of Route 18 north. Immediately after crossing the intersection of Route 18 north and Naricon Place, the tractor-trailer struck the rear of Elalfy’s Corolla, which was also in the right lane of Route 18 north. The impact caused a chain reaction that involved five vehicles.

A physician from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, pronounced Elalfy dead via telemetry at 6:33 p.m.. Another driver involved in the collision was taken to Robert Wood Johnson for injuries that police said were not life-threatening.

Elalfy had a wife Ghada and four children, Sara, Jasmine, Dana and Ali. He worked as a personal trainer at Bally Total Fitness on Edgeboro Road for close to 20 years, accord- ing to Serge Shapiro, manager of the gym.

Shapiro, who attended a funeral service for Elalfy on Friday at the Islamic Society of Central Jersey in the Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick, was an extremely wellliked and respected trainer, and a friend to many.

“He was incredibly popular, not only amongst clients but with friends and peers,” Shapiro said, noting that Elalfy was well known in the community and where he lived in Highland Park.

“Everyone loved him and respected him. He touched many people’s lives for the better,” Shapiro said.

Elalfy was a semiprofessional bodybuilder who kept himself in “phenomenal” shape over the years.

“He was the epitome of fitness,” Shapiro said. “He represented our company in a wonderful way. He was just a great person.”

The local Bally’s has set up a small shrine at the gym in Elalfy’s honor. It is also collecting donations on behalf of the family. To donate, call 732-254-7373 and speak with Serge.

Any witnesses to the accident were asked to call Sgt. John Dando at the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-3300 or Officer Sean Garrison of the East Brunswick Police Department at 732-390- 6969.

The Prosecutor’s Office and East Brunswick police are conducting a joint investigation into the accident. Upon completion, officials said, a decision will be made whether motor vehicle or criminal charges will be filed.