State Police ID Person Killed On Merritt In Stamford: Report

STAMFORD, CT — A 25-year-old New Jersey man has been identified as the person who was killed when a tree fell on the car he was driving on the Merritt Parkway in Stamford Friday afternoon, reports the Stamford Advocate.

Hawthorne, NJ resident Jonathan Rodriguez-Melendez was killed at about 3:35 p.m. between exits 33 and 31 southbound when a tree fell on the Mini Cooper he was driving. A passenger in the vehicle was treated in Greenwich Hospital after suffering non-threatening injuries in the crash.

The highway was closed for a portion of Friday on the southbound side between exits 34 and 31 due to the investigation. Rain and severe crosswinds are being blamed for the cause of the crash, according to the publication.

"One occupant transported to the hospital for evaluation and one occupant pronounced deceased," wrote Trooper First Class Kelly Grant in a statement just before 8 p.m. Friday.

From the Connecticut Department of Transportation Friday evening:

STAMFORD - RT15 Southbound CLOSED between Exits 34 and 31 because of Motor Vehicle Accident (1 Vehicle). Motorist are advised to follow the posted detour. Please take Exit 34 to Route 104 south, to Route 137 south which will take you to I-95.

Click here to read the full story on the Stamford Advocate.

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