The body of a New Jersey teacher, who had been missing for several days, was discovered inside his submerged car in the Passaic River on Tuesday, December 10, according to local authorities.
Brian Kolakowski, 37, a physical education instructor at Washington Middle School and girls’ tennis coach at Harrison High School in Harrison, New Jersey, was reported missing on December 4.
Security camera footage showed Kolakowski’s Volkswagen Jetta entering the Passaic River from a boat ramp at the Frank Vincent Marina in Kearny at 4:29 a.m., the day of his disappearance.
The recovery operation proved challenging due to the car drifting south from the marina, flipping over, and sinking. The recovery teams had to deal with poor weather conditions and low underwater visibility during the prolonged operation.
The Kearny Police Department in New Jersey reported that there was no evidence of criminal activity or any risk to public safety associated with the incident.
Kolakowski, also known as “Kola,” resided in North Arlington, New Jersey, and had been in the teaching profession since 2010. He was recently acknowledged as the North Jersey Inter Scholastic Conference Meadowlands Coach of the Year.
Under his guidance, the Harrison High School Girls Tennis Team won the NJIC Meadowlands League Championship this season.
The Superintendent of Harrison Public Schools, Maureen Kroog, and Personnel Director James Doran, also a Councilman for the Town of Harrison, issued a statement expressing their grief over Kolakowski’s loss. They noted to the parents of students that Kolakowski was known for his unwavering commitment, kindness, and the positive impact he had on the Harrison School District. They stressed that his death was a significant loss for the schools and the entire community.
Harrison Public Schools is offering counseling services to its students and staff in the wake of this tragic event.