Morris Twp. Man Killed in Arkansas Crash

Charles Dziedzic, the deputy director of the and a Morris Township resident, was killed in a traffic accident in Arkansas at 5:06 p.m. Monday.

Chatham Borough Administrator Robert Falzarano and his brother George Falzarano were also injured, which occurred in Lonoke, Ark., just east of Little Rock.

The three men were traveling to New Jersey by motorcycle from a cross-country trip which began April 6.

Chatham Borough Mayor Bruce Harris and the Chatham Borough Police Department 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.

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

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

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., according to police.

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

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

Robert was airlifted to the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Hospital, according to police.

George was taken to Baptist Health Medical Center in North Little Rock and later transferred to the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Hospital, police said.

The families of both men arrived in Little Rock Tuesday morning, according to police.

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

Dziedzic 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.

Harris was not immediately available for comment Tuesday.

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