Connect with us

New Jersey

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

Published

on

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


play

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

“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.



Source link

Advertisement

New Jersey

10 hospitalized, including some students, after crash involving school bus in New Jersey

Published

on

10 hospitalized, including some students, after crash involving school bus in New Jersey


MOORESTOWN, N.J. (WPVI) — Ten people, including several students, were hospitalized Tuesday after a school bus crash in Burlington County, New Jersey.

The collision happened around 3 p.m. at Borton Landing and Hartford roads in Moorestown.

Township officials said in a Facebook post that a car and school bus collided at the intersection, injuring six students, the bus driver and three occupants of the passenger vehicle. All injuries appear to be minor, officials said.

“We have been made aware of a bus accident on one of our routes. There are no significant injuries for our students,” Moorestown Township Public Schools said in a statement.

Advertisement

The remaining students on the bus were taken to a nearby school, where they were picked up by family members.

School counselors will be available this week to provide additional support to students.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

New Jersey

Wrong-way driver charged in I-80 crash that injured N.J. State Police trooper

Published

on

Wrong-way driver charged in I-80 crash that injured N.J. State Police trooper


An alleged drunk, wrong-way driver was arrested following a crash on Interstate 80 in Warren County, officials said.

Robert Felegi was driving a pickup truck west in the eastbound lanes in Knowlton when he crashed head-on into a New Jersey State Trooper’s vehicle near milepost 1.4 around midnight Tuesday, State Police said.

The trooper had emergency lights and sirens activated while trying to alert motorists of a hazard ahead, authorities said.

The trooper suffered minor injuries, while Felegi was not hurt.

Advertisement

Felegi, 67, of Middleport, Pennsylvania, was charged with assault by auto and driving under the influence.

He was brought to the Warren County jail ahead of a detention hearing. An attorney for Felegi is not listed in court records.

investigation, and no additional information is available.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

New Jersey

NJ casino workers continue push to end smoking loophole

Published

on

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

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending