Family Starts 'Justice Fund' For NJ Man Killed Scraping Snow Off Car

PATERSON, NJ — After a Paterson man was struck and killed while cleaning snow off of his car last week, people have donated more than $6,000 to support his grieving family.

Police said Abel Herrera, 59, was outside the morning of Feb. 3 along Alabama Avenue, when a driver hit him and then fled the scene. Officers found him lying in the road with "significant injuries," and he was later pronounced dead at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center.

Herrera and his wife lived across the street from where he was hit, and she was inside their car at the time, according to an ABC7 report.

His niece Stephanie González started a GoFundMe to support his wife, children, and grandchildren, with a fundraising goal of $20,000.

"Any contribution, no matter how small, would make a tremendous difference in helping us navigate through this heartbreaking and challenging time," she wrote.

Any donations will help cover medical bills, legal fees, and funeral expenses for this beloved family member, his niece said.

"Your generosity will allow us to ensure justice is pursued and to give my uncle the dignified farewell he deserves," she wrote.

Police and the Passaic County Sheriff's Office identified Shakim Adams, 21, of Paterson as the driver responsible and later arrested him, officials said. He was charged with second-degree leaving the scene of an accident.

You can view the GoFundMe for Herrera's family here.