Borough's Deputy DPW Director Killed in Crash

Charles Dziedzic, the deputy director of the , was killed in a traffic accident in Arkansas late Monday afternoon.

Chatham Borough Administrator Robert Falzarano and his brother George Falzarano were also injured in the accident, which occurred in Lonoke, Ark., just east of Little Rock Monday shortly after 5 p.m.

The three men were returning to New Jersey by motorcycle from a cross-country trip, which began April 6. Falzarano has taken road trips by motorcycles with friends to California before, where he travels California State Route 1.

Borough Mayor Bruce Harris and the released details of the accident, provided by the Arkansas State Police, Tuesday morning.

Arkansas State Police said the accident took place on I-40 at mile post 173.5.

According to police, a minivan caught fire in the left lane of the highway and caused traffic to suddenly stop.

This resulted in a separate fatal accident and a pile-up involving three tractor trailers.

As Robert and George Falzarano and Dziedzic slowed to a stop, they were struck from behind by a Chevrolet Tahoe driven by James Hearon of Ward, Ark.

Hearon was ejected from the vehicle when it rolled onto the median.

Dziedzic was killed instantly, and Robert and George Falzarano were seriously injured.

Borough police said Robert Falzarano was airlifted from the scene. The Arkansas State Police report said he was taken to Baptist Health Medical Center in North Little Rock. , borough police said.

George Falzarano was taken to the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Hospital according to the police report. His injuries are not life-threatening, police said.

All three men were wearing helmets, according to the Arkansas State Police.

The families of both men arrived in Little Rock Tuesday morning.

The accident is still under investigation by the Arkansas State Police.

Dziedzic, a resident of Morris Township, was employed in the borough's DPW since 1991. Before coming to Chatham he worked for the Morris County Road Department. He also served as a Special Police Officer in the Borough of Wharton.

Dziedzic is survived by his wife Linda, daughters Shelley and Amy, Ron Marchetti and grandson Domenick Charles Marchetti. His family was notified by members of the . The Rev. Robert Mitchell of accompanied them.

Harris was out of the state and not immediately available for comment Tuesday.

Chatham Patch will update this developing story as more information becomes available.