New Jersey

28-year-old dies after getting struck by lightning on golf course

Published

5 months ago

July 16, 2025

28-year-old dies after getting struck by lightning on golf course

A man struck by lightning while golfing at a tournament in New Jersey on Tuesday July 8, his died from his injuries, according to information from his family and local authorities.

Simon John Mariani, 28, was struck during a competition at the Ballyowen Golf Club, a Hardyston Township Police spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY on Wednesday, July 16.

The club is at Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, a borough in Sussex County near the New York state line and about an hour drive from New York City.

According to his obituary, Mariani died on Monday, July 14. Mariani lived in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, about 30 miles southeast of the golf course.

Reports: Golfer’s father performed CPR on golf course

Brian Delia, who witnessed the lightning strike while golfing, told WABC-TV the victim was about 300 yards in front of him when the bolt struck him.

“We got up to the 14th hole… we saw lightning off in the distance for at least a half an hour before that,” Delia told the outlet.

Delia said two golfers and the victim’s father ran to perform CPR on him before he was taken off the course in a golf cart and then transported by medical helicopter to a hospital.

When reached by USA TODAY on Wednesday, July 16, Michelle Abate, spokesperson for Crystal Springs Resort, declined to comment about the incident citing the family’s request not to release information.

But WPVI-TVI reported the resort released a statement after the incident saying, “course personnel sounded warning horns to clear the course and that the golf course had been operating under normal conditions before the storm, which developed rapidly.”

“The safety of our guests is one of our top priorities,” Abate told the outlet. “Our primary concern right now is the well-being of the guest and his family.”

Golfer had a ‘zest for life’

A 2019 University of Notre Dame graduate, Mariani was, “driven, dedicated, smart, likeable and exceptionally talented,” according to his obituary.

At the time of his death, the obituary says, he worked as an associate at MTS Health Partners in New York City.

“Outside of his professional life, Simon embraced all things family and enjoyed painting, photography and baking,” his family wrote, adding he loved the New York Yankees, New Jersey Devils, New Jersey Jets, his college alma mater’s football team and the Manchester United Football Club.

“Simon’s love for his family, career, the outdoors and sports reflected his zest for life,” his obituary reads. “Simon had the heart of a Champion.”

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

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New Jersey

NJ casino workers continue push to end smoking loophole

Published

5 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

NJ casino workers continue push to end smoking loophole

TRENTON, N.J. (WPVI) — New Jersey casino workers, who are pushing to permanently ban smoking in their workplaces, held a rally in Trenton on Monday.

A hearing was held to discuss a lawsuit that aims to close the smoking loophole in the Garden State.

For years, casino workers have been pursuing protections against secondhand smoke in their workplaces.

RELATED | Judge allows smoking to continue in Atlantic City casinos, dealing blow to workers

New Jersey’s Smoke-Free Air Act largely bans indoor smoking, but casinos have a long-standing exemption.

The lawsuit filed last April by the United Auto Workers, which represents dealers at the Bally’s, Caesars and Tropicana casinos.

In August 2024, a judge ruled in favor of the casinos to allow smoking to continue.

“Casino workers are expected to clock in to work every day despite inevitably facing a toxic environment that could cause countless health issues, including cancer, heart disease, and asthma,” said Nancy Erika Smith, the lawyer representing Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) and the UAW on Monday.

“We’re asking the court to find the exemption in New Jersey’s Smoke-Free Air Act unconstitutional and void it immediately. We hope this case will serve as a precedent for casinos across the country to close their smoking loopholes and stop poisoning their workers,” added Smith.

The casinos have warned that thousands of jobs and millions in gambling revenue and taxes could be lost if smoking was banned.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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New Jersey

11-Vehicle Crash Closes Turnpike, College Student Abducted: NJ Weekend

Published

17 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

11-Vehicle Crash Closes Turnpike, College Student Abducted: NJ Weekend

A teenager was shot to death in Jersey City, a woman was killed in a fiery crash with a dump truck in Ocean County, and a man is in critical condition after an SUV hit him in a Princeton crosswalk.

Here are the headlines from the weekend in New Jersey you may have missed.

Teen Shot Dead In Jersey City Apartment, Prosecutor Says

A 16-year-old boy was found shot to death in Jersey City on Friday night, prosecutors said.

Woman Killed In Fiery Head-On Dump Truck Crash In Ocean County

A woman was killed Friday when her van hit a dump truck head-on in Jackson and burst into flames, Jackson police said.

Evelin Villanueva-Detejeda, 43, of Perth Amboy, was killed in the crash that happened about 2 p.m. on Toms River Road (Route 571) near Osprey Place, Sgt. Edward Travisano said.

Six people sustained minor injuries in the collision late Friday afternoon, according to State Police Tpr. Christopher Postorino.

Read more: 11-Vehicle Crash, Overturned Truck Shut Down Turnpike In South Jersey: Police

NJ College Student Abducted From Campus, Sexually Assaulted By Armed Man, Police Say

A Union County man is facing a slew of charges after kidnapping a woman, according to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

Akram Elsayed, 28, of Roselle, has been arrested after an investigation found that he’d kidnapped a woman and handcuffed her to the door of a car, police said.

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