Fundraiser Set For Verona Mother Killed In DUI Crash

VERONA, NJ — If you were one of the many people whose life was enriched by meeting Verona’s Megan Longo Villanella, there’s a way that you can help her family cope with the mother and wife’s tragic death.

According to authorities, the 34-year-old mother and wife died after being struck by a car while waiting at a bus stop at Lakeside Avenue and Pease Avenue in Verona with her brother earlier this month.

• Related Article: Funeral Set For Pregnant Verona Woman, Crash Victim

Prosecutors charged Anthony V. Casale, Jr., 25, of Belleville, with first-degree death by auto and DUI in connection with Villanella’s death.

According to Casale’s attorney, he was driving to Livingston, where he was employed as a maintenance worker in the police department at the time.

• Related Article: Belleville Driver Who Hit, Killed Pregnant Mom Was Heroin User, Prosecutor Alleges

In Villanella’s honor, her high school friend Jennifer West and the Council Rock North High School softball team in Pennsylvania have started a GoFundMe campaign.

The campaign will create a fund to purchase a memorial bench to be placed on the girls' softball field at Council Rock High School North in honor of the Bucks County native and Council Rock High School alum. All additional funds will go towards a scholarship for her daughter, Isabelle, the campaign states.

See the campaign or make a donation here.

MEMORIALIZING MEGAN

“Megan was tragically killed on the morning of March 3 while waiting at a bus stop with her brother (who recently moved in with her family so he could spend more time with his beautiful niece, Megan's daughter Isabelle) to commute to their jobs in NYC,” the campaign states.

“Megan's brother was hospitalized and treated for numerous life-threatening injuries, but Megan and her unborn baby girl were killed instantly. In that one moment, her husband, Jim, lost the love of his life, and her 22-month-old daughter Isabelle lost her loving mommy and soon to be baby sister.

“One of her many passions while growing up and attending high school was playing sports, particularly softball. Megan was a talented player and she loved the game. She later went on to play softball at Lafayette College while studying business and marketing.

“Megan touched the lives of so many people during her lifetime that we want to honor her life by memorializing her name and memory at one of the places she loved most... the softball field.”

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Photos: GoFundMe

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