New Britain Man, 23, Dies After Hit-And-Run; Family Remembers His ‘Pure And Beautiful Soul’ New Britain Man, 23, Dies After Hit-And-Run; Family Remembers His ‘Pure And Beautiful Soul’ New Britain Man, 23, Dies After Hit-And-Run; Family Remembers His ‘Pure And Beautiful Soul’
New Britain Man, 23, Dies After Hit-And-Run; Family Remembers His ‘Pure And Beautiful Soul’ A Connecticut man known for his love of dancing and spending time with family has died after a hit-and-run crash. He was 23. Kelvin Omar Flores Benitez, of New Britain, died Sept. 26, three days after the crash near East Lawlor Street in New Britain, according to police. Investigators said two vehicles collided around 5:45 p.m. Benitez was thrown from his motorcycle, and officers found him unresponsive when they arrived. Police are searching for the other driver. The crash left Benitez on life support, according to a GoFundMe supporting his family. He died despite efforts to save him, the …
5-Year-Old Hazlet Boy Dies After Battling Brain Tumors 5-Year-Old Hazlet Boy Dies After Battling Brain Tumors 5-Year-Old Hazlet Boy Dies After Battling Brain Tumors
5-Year-Old Hazlet Boy Dies After Battling Brain Tumors Mick Joseph Augustitus, a 5-year-old Hazlet boy died on Saturday, Oct. 10, after battling brain tumors, the Ashley Lauren Foundation announced. Mick was known for his love of Lighting McQueen, with his room filled with toys of the "Cars" hero. "Mick was so much more than his diagnosis," the Ashley Lauren Foundation said. "He was a beautiful little boy with a smile that could light up a room, a love for Lightning McQueen, and a spirit that touched the hearts of everyone fortunate enough to know him." A GoFundMe set up for his parents, Michael and Allison revealed he was diagnosed when he wa…
Rockland County Woman, 23, Dies Suddenly — And Her Family Faces 'Overwhelming' Costs Rockland County Woman, 23, Dies Suddenly — And Her Family Faces 'Overwhelming' Costs Rockland County Woman, 23, Dies Suddenly — And Her Family Faces 'Overwhelming' Costs
Rockland County Woman, 23, Dies Suddenly — And Her Family Faces 'Overwhelming' Costs A Rockland County family is mourning the sudden and unexpected death of a 23-year-old woman remembered for her kindness, compassion, and ability to make everyone around her feel loved.  Helen Marie Ramirez-Apuzzo, 23, died unexpectedly, her family announced on Monday, Oct. 12. Her cause of death was not made public.  Her death was announced in a GoFundMe campaign launched by her family member, AnnMarie Mulholland, on Monday to help Helen's family cover funeral and burial expenses.   Helen was the youngest daughter of Theresa and Jose Ramirez-Apuzzo and a beloved sister …
Berlin Man Critically Injured Cliff Jumping With Fiancée In Italy Berlin Man Critically Injured Cliff Jumping With Fiancée In Italy Berlin Man Critically Injured Cliff Jumping With Fiancée In Italy
Berlin Man Critically Injured Cliff Jumping With Fiancée In Italy Jacob Fleig, a Berlin resident, is fighting for his life in Italy after being critically injured while cliff jumping on Monday, Oct. 5, according to a GoFundMe set up to support his family. Fleig, whose LinkedIn page shows he studied biochemistry at Rowan University, was vacationing on the Amalfi Coast with his fiancée. He is in the intensive care unit and has undergone numerous life-saving procedures and surgeries, his brother Jimmy Dorner wrote on the fundraiser. Dorner said the goal is to get him medically stable so he can be transported back to America for future surgeries, therapy, and…
Waterbury Dad-To-Be Killed In Madison Crash 'Forever Loved,' 'Always Part Of Us,' Family Says Waterbury Dad-To-Be Killed In Madison Crash 'Forever Loved,' 'Always Part Of Us,' Family Says Waterbury Dad-To-Be Killed In Madison Crash 'Forever Loved,' 'Always Part Of Us,' Family Says
Waterbury Dad-To-Be Killed In Madison Crash 'Forever Loved,' 'Always Part Of Us,' Family Says A Waterbury man killed in a crash before the birth of his first child is being remembered for his big heart and generosity. Now, his loved ones are raising money to help cover his funeral expenses and support his family. Pedro Ayala, 31, of Waterbury, died in a single-vehicle crash on Route 80 (Old Toll Road) in Madison on Oct. 4, around 7:15 a.m., Madison police previously said. Authorities have released few details about what led up to the crash, which remains under investigation. Ayala's cousin Julio Malave created a GoFundMe to cover funeral and memorial expenses. Any money raised abov…
6 PA Boys Involved In Deadly Cranbury NJ Turnpike Crash: 2 Dead, 4 Hospitalized 6 PA Boys Involved In Deadly Cranbury NJ Turnpike Crash: 2 Dead, 4 Hospitalized 6 PA Boys Involved In Deadly Cranbury NJ Turnpike Crash: 2 Dead, 4 Hospitalized
6 PA Boys Involved In Deadly Cranbury NJ Turnpike Crash: 2 Dead, 4 Hospitalized Six Pennsylvania teens were involved in a crash on the New Jersey Turnpike that killed two of them and sent four others to the hospital, authorities said. The crash happened around 5:06 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, in the southbound outer lanes near mile marker 69.9 in Cranbury, Middlesex County Prosecutor Linda Estremera and New Jersey State Police Acting Superintendent Jeanne Hengemuhle said. The vehicle was carrying six people when it crashed, ejecting two occupants, a 19-year-old from Warminster and a 16-year-old from Hatboro, authorities said. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. The four…
Perryville Dad Found Dead After NFL Trip To Be Honored: 'Once A Shark, Always A Shark' Perryville Dad Found Dead After NFL Trip To Be Honored: 'Once A Shark, Always A Shark' Perryville Dad Found Dead After NFL Trip To Be Honored: 'Once A Shark, Always A Shark'
Perryville Dad Found Dead After NFL Trip To Be Honored: 'Once A Shark, Always A Shark' The jersey will be retired, but No. 37 will still take the field for a Maryland football team mourning the death of one of its own after a trip to Cleveland ended in tragedy. The Maryland Sharks are retiring the jersey of Phoenix Phillips, a 24-year-old Perryville father whose body was recovered from the Cuyahoga River after he disappeared during a trip to Ohio to attend a Browns-Steelers football game. His teammates will wear patches bearing his number throughout the season, ensuring that Phillips remains part of the team every time the Sharks take the field. "As a team, we talk about bro…
Three Injured After Home Destroyed By Fire: Woolwich Fire Company Three Injured After Home Destroyed By Fire: Woolwich Fire Company Three Injured After Home Destroyed By Fire: Woolwich Fire Company
Three Injured After Home Destroyed By Fire: Woolwich Fire Company Three people were injured after a fire destroyed a home in Swedesboro, Friday, Oct. 9, authorities said. At 3:11 p.m., firefighters responded to a house fire at 5 Merckling St. in Swedesboro and found a home engulfed in flames with thick black violent smoke, Woolwich Fire Company said. Firefighters immediately entered the home to locate a man trapped, fire officials said. Despite intense heat and smoke, a firefighter located the man in a chair, secured  him and removed him from the home, fire officials said. Firefighters gave the man fresh air, fire officials said. The quick action of…
Palmyra Mother Grieves After 18-Year-Old Son Dies Palmyra Mother Grieves After 18-Year-Old Son Dies Palmyra Mother Grieves After 18-Year-Old Son Dies
Palmyra Mother Grieves After 18-Year-Old Son Dies Jill Connors Dowdy is experiencing every mother's worst nightmare. Dowdy, a Palmyra resident, announced the unexpected death of her Shaun at the age of 18.  "He was only 18 years old. Just 18," Dowdy said. "He had his entire life ahead of him, so many dreams to chase, memories to make, and so much more love to give. Shaun was an amazing son, brother, grandson, cousin, boyfriend, and friend. He was so deeply loved by his family and by everyone who was lucky enough to know him." Dowdy said she was struggling to make sense of her son's death. "My heart is shattered into a million p…
Westfield Teen Killed In Agawam Motorcycle Crash Was 'Full Of Life,' 'Compassionate' Westfield Teen Killed In Agawam Motorcycle Crash Was 'Full Of Life,' 'Compassionate' Westfield Teen Killed In Agawam Motorcycle Crash Was 'Full Of Life,' 'Compassionate'
Westfield Teen Killed In Agawam Motorcycle Crash Was 'Full Of Life,' 'Compassionate' A fundraiser for an 18-year-old Massachusetts man killed in a motorcycle crash has raised tens of thousands of dollars for his large family as they attempt to be reunited with his body. Oleksandr Petrovskyi, 18, of Westfield, was identified as the victim of a crash on Main Street in Agawam around 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, authorities said. Investigators previously said speed may have been a factor in the single-vehicle wreck. First responders attempted lifesaving measures before paramedics could rush him to Baystate Medical Center, where he died of his wounds. He leaves behind his parents,…
Firefighter's Wife, 81, Killed In Niskayuna House Fire; Husband Of 62 Years Loses Home Firefighter's Wife, 81, Killed In Niskayuna House Fire; Husband Of 62 Years Loses Home Firefighter's Wife, 81, Killed In Niskayuna House Fire; Husband Of 62 Years Loses Home
Firefighter's Wife, 81, Killed In Niskayuna House Fire; Husband Of 62 Years Loses Home A former pediatric nurse, foster mother, and longtime fire department auxiliary member has been identified as the woman killed in a Capital Region house fire that also left her husband of 62 years, a lifelong firefighter, without a home. Donna A. (Baker) Stewart, 81, died Friday, Oct. 9, after a fire broke out at her home on Old River Road in Niskayuna, according to her obituary published by Bowen & Parker Bros. Funeral Home. Her husband, Robert N. "Rocky" Stewart, a longtime member of the Verdoy Volunteer Fire Department, is now mourning his wife while facing the loss of the home they …
West Milford Dad, 32, Dies Less Than 2 Weeks After Welcoming Baby Boy West Milford Dad, 32, Dies Less Than 2 Weeks After Welcoming Baby Boy West Milford Dad, 32, Dies Less Than 2 Weeks After Welcoming Baby Boy
West Milford Dad, 32, Dies Less Than 2 Weeks After Welcoming Baby Boy A 32-year-old West Milford father of two died suddenly less than two weeks after welcoming his newborn son, his employer announced. Jason Allen Murphy died Tuesday, Oct. 6, leaving behind his fiancée, Sarina Czarnecki, their daughter, Adalyn, who recently turned 1, and newborn son, Jasper, according to Ron & Sons Towing & Recovery. A GoFundMe has been established to help the family cover funeral expenses and other financial challenges. More than $11,000 had been raised as of press time. Murphy, who was born in Hackensack, was remembered by his coworkers as part of their towing fami…