The family of a grandfather of 14 who was struck and killed by a truck on the New Jersey Turnpike last summer is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of the driver who fled the scene after the crash.
Giuseppe Zuccarello, 78, of Queens, New York, was found dead about 8:35 a.m. on Aug. 24, on the northbound truck side of the Turnpike in East Brunswick, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Investigators believe Zuccarello had been driving a 25-foot long, white Isuzu box truck that he parked the night before, on Aug. 23, on the northbound shoulder of the highway’s truck lanes near milepost 78.8.
Zuccarello was fatally struck by a passing vehicle after he got out at about 10:50 p.m. The vehicle left the crash scene without stopping, the prosecutor’s office has said.
The vehicle that struck the victim is believed to be a 2018 or newer red Freightliner Cascadia, authorities said.
The crash caused damage to the Freightliner’s passenger-side headlights, right bumper and fender, right rearview mirror and blind-spot mirror, according to the family’s reward flyer. Parts left behind at the crash scene included a red bumper and part of a blind-spot mirror.
Peter Zuccarello said his father had picked up bushels of tomatoes from Vineland in Cumberland County and was headed back to the family’s garden center in Queens when he apparently pulled over to rest the night of the crash.
His body was found the next day by another son, who had tracked down his father through an app on the father’s mobile phone, Peter Zuccarello said.
The trip was one that the elder Zucarrello had made regularly for more than four decades, Peter said.
“My father worked seven days a week, 12 to 14 hours a day,” the son said. “He never stopped.”
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or events prior is asked to call New Jersey State Police Detective Matt Schaible at 609-860-9000, ext. 4424 or 732-712-1143.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Credit: Source link
