Victim Identified in Fatal Lavallette Restaurant Crash

Victim Named in Fatal Car Crash at Jersey Shore Restaurant

First responders and shore communities are rallying to support the family of Silverton Volunteer Fire Chief John Keating Jr. following the tragic loss of his wife, Ursula Keating, who was killed Saturday in a crash at a Lavallette restaurant.

Ursula Keating, 56, of Toms River, died after an SUV driven by a 93-year-old Lavallette woman accelerated into the outdoor seating area and building at Meg's Grill on Saturday morning. According to Lavallette police, the driver accidentally struck the gas pedal instead of the brake while attempting to park.

At least seven other patrons were injured in the collision and transported to area hospitals. Police confirmed that the crash remains under active investigation.

Emergency response agencies across Ocean County and beyond expressed shock and heartbreak over the news, highlighting the Keating family’s long history of public service. Chief Keating, who leads Silverton Volunteer Fire Company Station 29, has served as a police officer, EMT, career firefighter, and volunteer fire chief over his career. "The Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention extends our deepest condolences to Chief Keating, his family, and the members of Silverton Fire Company Station 29 following yesterday's tragic incident," the bureau stated in a public message, encouraging the Toms River community to rally around the family.

The tragic incident resonated deeply in Garfield, New Jersey, where Chief Keating previously served as a police lieutenant and where Ursula’s late father, John Adametz, was an ex-fire chief. Garfield Mayor Everett Garnto issued a statement calling Ursula a "beloved mother, wife, and friend," adding that the entire community grieves alongside her family.

The owner of Meg's Grill announced that the establishment closed out of respect for the victims, praising the Keating family's daughter for her extraordinary courage at the scene.

"Your daughter was a true hero on this day," the owner wrote in a tribute. "She held your hand and kept you calm and never left your side. She showed immense bravery and selflessness."

Community members and emergency service organizations have organized support campaigns for Chief Keating and the couple's two children as law enforcement continues to investigate the details surrounding the tragedy.