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ID Released For Man Struck, Killed By Tree Limb In Fairfield

A 54-year-old man killed when a tree branch smashed onto his vehicle has been identified by Fairfield Police.

A Fairfield man who was killed when a tree limb crashed onto his vehicle has been identified.

A Fairfield man who was killed when a tree limb crashed onto his vehicle has been identified.

Photo Credit: Fairfield Police Department

David L. Schmerzler was driving in front of 3330 Sturges Highway when his vehicle was hit by a large limb from a Sassafras tree around 2:16 p.m., Sunday, June 30, said Fairfield Police Capt. Robert Kalamaras.

When first responders arrived on the scene they found Schmerzler unconscious in the driver's seat, Kalamaras said.

He was transported to Norwalk Hospital where he was pronounced dead by hospital staff at 3:18 p.m.

Schmutzler's wife,  Donna Schmerzler, who sustained minor injuries, was in the passenger seat and his adult daughter was in the rear passenger seat, Kalamaras said.

"At this time, it appears that the tree limb broke off as a result of the strong winds and storm conditions," he added.

The incident is under investigation by the Fairfield Police Crash Reconstruction Unit.

Fairfield police said the department responded to numerous calls due to the severe storms that moved through the area.

In addition to the above, the department said a deck collapsed at a home on Rhode Island Avenue, injuring six people who were on the deck at the time of the collapse. All were transported to an area hospital with what appear to be non-life-threatening injuries.

Police also said a tree came crashing down Old Post Road snapping nine telephone poles leaving more than 2,000 people without power in lower Fairfield County. 

Officials say around 164 people are still without power in Fairfield Monday, the police department said.

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