Fundraisers Started For Man Killed By Live Wire

FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ — Anthony Gonzalez Jr. was killed Thursday going to help someone else in need. Helping others is something he was known for.

Indeed, Gonzalez was on his way to his father's township home to shovel snow on Thursday as a destructive nor'easter wreaked havoc in his area, NorthJersey.com reported. Only he never made it.

Now, his family needs help.

Nearly $12,000 has been donated to help Gonzalez's wife and three children in less than a day, since he drove over a live power line on Thursday. About $9,300 has been donated on a gofundme.com page and more than $2,100 on a youcaring.com page. The family, including children Alicia, Alexis and Anthony attends church in Teaneck.

"This very loving family is very active in their church, community and are always there to support others. Now they need the support," said Jaclyn Milnes, who started the gofundme.com campaign and who works with Gonzalez's wife at KinderCare Learning Center at Franklin Lakes.

Gonzalez died when he drove his car over the power line in Franklin Lakes Thursday. The vehicle then caught fire.

The oldest of four children, Gonzalez, 40, of Wanaque followed in the footsteps of his father, Anthony Gonzalez Sr., according to the NorthJersey.com report: He worked as an electrician for 18 years and was employed in New York City.

“It’s a great trade and I’m glad my son and I picked it up,” Anthony Gonzalez Sr., who retired as an electrician after 40 years, told the website. “He’s a wonderful son.”

“His kids are involved in sports. I just think they need the extra financial support right now,” Milne sad in the NorthJersey.com report. “I went through a tragedy myself. His kids were everything to him.”

Gonzalez Jr. was on Summit Avenue near Route 208 when he drove over a live power line. He tried to get his car around a barricade when the incident happened, according to 6abc. The vehicle then erupted in flames. (See Related: Person Dies After Driving Car Over Live Wire: Police [Video])

Officers found the car "fully engulfed" in flames and a live power line lying in the roadway next to it, Franklin Lakes Police Capt. Bakelaar previously said.

Bakelaar could not be reached for comment to confirm the Gonzalez Jr.'s identity Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.

Gonzalez's father debated what police described at the accident site. He told NorthJersey.com that he believes there were no cones at the scene before his son drove through the intersection.

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Photo: Anthony Gonzalez Jr. and his family./Courtesy of gofundme.com, a promotional partner of Patch.