SHARE

Hawthorne Man Killed, Passenger From Paterson Hurt When Tree Falls On Car

A 25-year-old motorist from New Jersey was killed Friday afternoon when a large tree fell on his car on the Merritt Parkway in Fairfield County amid the damaging Nor'easter.

The Merritt Parkway (Route 15) near the Stamford-Greenwich border.

The Merritt Parkway (Route 15) near the Stamford-Greenwich border.

Photo Credit: Google Maps

Jonathan Rodriguez-Melendez of Hawthorne was traveling southbound near the Stamford-Greenwich border south of Exit 33 at about 1:20 p.m. amid rain and severe crosswinds when the tree fell on his Mini Cooper, Connecticut State Police said.

Rodriguez-Melendez was pronounced dead at the scene. Francisco Berdecia, 33, of Paterson, New Jersey, a passenger in the vehicle, was transported to Greenwich Hospital with minor, non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.

The large tree dislodged and fell directly on the car, police said.

to follow Daily Voice Rutherford and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE