Expectant father, 30, killed by falling tree during NJ storm: Mayor

EAST ORANGE, N.J. (PIX11) — An expectant father man was killed by a falling tree in East Orange, New Jersey, according to East Orange Mayor Ted Green.

Juan José Angeles Lopez, 30, was having a family barbecue in his backyard Wednesday when the unexpected summer storm started picking up, relatives told city officials.

Around 8 p.m. the winds intensified, and Lopez was folding an umbrella when a tree fell from the neighboring property, collapsing on Lopez, the mayor said.

First responders arrived to find Lopez’s family trying to get him out from under the tree, city officials said. He was found unresponsive at his home on North Munn Avenue and pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

“He left behind his wife, daughter, and unborn child,” a loved one wrote on a GoFundMe that had collected nearly $6,000 by Thursday.

Lopez and his wife have a 2-year-old child, and his wife is seven months pregnant, according to officials. His family arrived in East Orange about two months ago, officials said.

Now, the city is collecting clothing and other supplies to support Lopez’s family. Donations can be dropped off at East Orange Firehouses or the Department of Health and Human Services.

“This is heart wrenching, and as a community, we are going to do whatever we can to help Mr. Lopez’ wife and family during this difficult time,” Green said.

Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter from Los Angeles who has covered New York City since 2023. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here .

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