Officials: East Orange man at family cookout killed by fallen tree as storm nears New Jersey
City officials say Juan Jose Angeles Lopez was in the backyard at a cookout with his family and was starting to clean up when the tree fell.
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A man from East Orange was killed when a tree fell on top of him Wednesday, according to city officials.
Officials say Juan Jose Angeles Lopez, 30, was in the backyard at a cookout with his family and was starting to clean up when the tree fell.
Lopez's brother-in-law Carlos says as the storm rolled in, the family was finishing up a cookout in the backyard. He says Lopez was inside the house and suddenly, without warning, a large tree came crashing down.
"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," Carlos said.
MORE: New Jersey storm damage, power outages impact thousands following Wednesday thunderstorms
Officials told News 12 New Jersey that Lopez is a father of three and his wife is seven months pregnant. The city is taking collections for baby items and other necessities at the city health department for the victim’s family. A GoFundMe was also set up for the family.
Powerful storms ripped through New Jersey on Wednesday evening, leaving damage scattered throughout the state.
Another tree fell in Mountainside on top of a house on Longview Drive. The house is roped off and off limits until further inspection.
RELATED: Downed trees in New Jersey lead to intensive damage to homes
