A New Jersey father-to-be was killed by a falling tree Wednesday night as a series of powerful storms swept through the Tri-State area, leaving several other people injured.
Juan Jose Angeles Lopez, 30, of East Orange, New Jersey, died in a fatal tree accident while he was attempting to secure items in his family's backyard as they wrapped up a cookout, authorities said, according to News 12 New Jersey.
"One minute, we're out there barbecuing and having some drinks. In the next minute, a big, old tree just falls down and topples him," his brother-in-law, Carlos said.
Lopez leaves behind his wife, who was seven months pregnant, and a 2-year-old daughter.
In nearby Park Ridge, New Jersey, a woman suffered a serious head injury when a tree crashed through her roof, according to WABC-TV. She is expected to survive.
Similarly, in Queens, New York, a driver and two passengers were struck by a falling tree while waiting at a stoplight, the outlet reported. Their injuries were non-fatal.
The wave of powerful storms that swept through the area produced hail, heavy rainfall, and gusts of wind up to 60 mph.
As of Thursday morning, emergency crews worked to clear roadways of debris and tens of thousands of people remained without power.
