Funeral Set For Pregnant Verona Woman; Belleville Driver Faces DUI Charge

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Services for a pregnant Verona woman allegedly killed by a suspected drunk driver from Belleville are set for Saturday.

The Essex County community is still mourning the loss of 34-year-old Megan Longo Villanella, who died after being struck by a car while waiting at a bus stop at Lakeside Avenue and Pease Avenue in Verona with her brother, prosecutors say.

Villanella was due with her second child in May, and was married with a 22-month-old daughter, Isabelle Ava, her obituary stated.

• See related article: Services Set For 2000 Council Rock Grad Killed By Suspected Drunk Driver

The driver also hit her brother, Derek Longo, 30, who was hospitalized with critical injuries, authorities said.

Prosecutors announced Tuesday that Anthony V. Casale, Jr., 25, of Belleville, has been charged with first-degree death by auto in connection with Villanella’s death.

Casale was also charged with driving while under the influence, failure to maintain his lane and possession of controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia, prosecutors stated.

Police allege that around 7:45 a.m. on Friday March 3, Villanella and her 30-year-old brother were waiting at a bus stop at Lakeside Avenue and Pease Avenue when Casale struck them in a 2006 white Mitsubishi.

• See related article: Belleville Man Charged With Killing Verona Woman, Injuring Her Brother In Crash

“I can’t say enough good things about her,” Jim Villanella, her husband of nine years, told NorthJersey.com. “She was unique and special and kind. She was the love of my life and she loved me and I loved her. She loved her daughter also.”

FUNERAL DETAILS, OBITUARY

Services for Villanella are scheduled for Saturday. Here is her obituary, via fluehr.com:

Megan E. (Longo) Villanella of Verona, N.J., formerly of Ivyland, Pa., died tragically and unexpectedly on Friday, March 3, 2017, along with her precious Adaline Grace, who was to be born in May.

Megan is survived by the loves and greatest joys of her life, her husband of nine years, James J. Villanella; and their beautiful daughter, Isabelle Ava, who at 22 months just warms your heart and brings a smile to your face.

Also surviving Megan are her parents, Derek D. and Constance 'Connie' Roscoe Longo of Ivyland, Pa; her brother Derek J. Longo, a recent resident of Salt Lake City, Utah, but currently residing with Megan's family in Verona, and who was also injured but is recovering in the hospital; her father and mother-in-law, Joseph E. and Nancy A. Fanning Villanella of Paramus, N.J.; sister-in-law, Lauren M. Villanella of Paramus, N.J.; brother-in-law, Daniel (Juliette) Villanella of Fair Lawn, N.J.; brother-in-law, Michael Villanella and Julie Virgone of Jersey City, N.J.; as well as several special aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Megan was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Jack and Colomba Longo; and her maternal grandparents, Dr. Constantine and Virginia Roscoe.

Lovely Megan was a resident of Ivyland for most of her life. She attended Churchville Elementary School and graduated with honors from Council Rock High School, Class of 2000. Megan received her undergraduate degree Cum Laud in 2004, from Lafayette College and her MBA in International Business and Marketing from Fordham University in 2012, with a GPA of 3.895.

For the past few years Megan worked for MetLife in New York City where she was assistant vice president, Global Brand and Marketing. MetLife will be honoring Megan by starting an annual global award in Megan's name to recognize the greatest contribution to their marketing mission.

At an early age Megan took to heart that anyone could be mediocre, so she worked extra hard to achieve and excel in all she undertook. Whether it was playing softball or creating and marketing a brand or her being a loving mother, wife, daughter, sister, cousin, niece, friend, student or colleague, Megan was passionately dedicated to giving her all to everyone and anything. We are better people for having her in our lives.

Megan's family will receive condolences from 9:30 a.m. until her funeral Mass at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 11, at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 654 Hatboro Rd., Richboro. Megan's interment will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Megan's name may be made to the American Heart Association, 5455 N. High St. Columbus, OH 43214.

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