Fort Lee, NJ – Russian Jewish Man Killed By Drunk Driver In NJ Remembered For Few Words, But Many Accomplishments

Fort Lee, NJ – An 86 year old Orthodox Jewish Fort Lee man who was killed by a drunk driver on his way home from shul Sunday night was laid to rest Tuesday in a North Jersey cemetery.

Ruben Enukashvili had just left the Young Israel of Fort Lee and was crossing Lemoine Avenue near Whiteman Street when he was fatally struck by a 2011 Hyundai Sonata driven by 22 year old Christine Ko of Ewing, New Jersey. Enukashvili was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center where he later died.

Ko, a clerk at a local liquor store, was intoxicated at the time of the accident according to authorities who charged her with vehicular homicide and issued summonses for reckless driving, driving under the influence and operating a motor vehicle with an open or unsealed alcoholic beverage container. According to court records, she was released from Bergen County jail this morning after posting bail, which had been set at $150,000 with a 10 percent option.

NorthJersey.com reported that Enukashvili came to New Jersey 61 years ago and was in good health at the time of his death. A self taught man who directed a silk factory in his native Kutaisi, Georgia, Enukashvili spoke limited English and had difficulty communicating with others but was a constant fixture at the Young Israel.

“His daily commitment to prayer, his daily charity giving, those actions spoke much louder than words,” said Rabbi Zev Goldberg, who noted that a soon to be purchased tzedaka box at the synagogue would be dedicated in Enukashvili’s memory.

Rafael Enukashvili said that his father was a proud and extremely private person with many talents that were evident to those who were able to converse with him in Russian.

“Everyone who would speak with him would fall under his charm because they would appreciate his intellect and the depth of his views,” said Enukashvili.

Enukashvili’s death, the tenth pedestrian fatality in Fort Lee in the past six years, comes just months after the death of his wife. He was buried at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Fairview, New Jersey and leaves behind two children, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.