WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	Friends, churchgoers mourn victims of crash (Middletown-WTNH) _ A memorial was placed on the scene of a crash that killed five people Friday. A cross marks the spot where witnesses say a pickup truck traveling north veered across the median and slammed head on into a car heading southbound. The victims were identified as Gerard and Ester Weitzman of Cromwell, and Frank Zlotowski and Rosemary Loffredo of Middletown. The driver of the pick-up, Jose Ribiero, was also killed. News Channel 8's Judy Chong talked with grieving friends of the couples. What began as a double date ended in tragedy. Gerard and Esther Weitzman died along with Rosemary Loffredo and her fiancee, Frank Zlotowski. Instead of getting married, the couple will be memorialized together at their church. Justina Colon: "They were always together. He'd sit at the front pew every Sunday with her mother while she sang." Rosemary Loffredo was extremely active at St. Francis Church in Middletown. She organized the Spanish mass 15 years ago. She led the choir, and helped the recently arrived Spanish community adjust to life in Connecticut. As this choir sang its thoughts were on Laffredo. Colon: "I could hear her laughter. As a I said, she always had a smile on her face. I never saw her sad." The 2 couples are described as completely selfless, fun loving, and active in the community. The Weitzman's owned Pelton's Drugstore in Middletown, family operated for 70 years. Loved ones say the list of all the things they did is too long to name, although a favorite project is the community health center, which serviced the poor. Rick Carbray, Weitzman's Friend: "Humanitarian, people person, supreme generosity." For all the accomplishments, Gerard Weitzman's long time friend says he rarely sought the recognition. Carbray: "Get the job done, he'd be the one to roll up his sleeves and get right in the middle of things, but when it was time to get up there to get the award, it wasn't Gerry." An eerie coincidence here. Just last week, Gerard Weitzman met with his lawyers to ensure the proper succession in the event of his death. Pelton's will remain family-owned. Funeral services for the Weitzmans are scheduled for Monday at 10am. As for the driver of that pick-up which veered in the road, he had reportedly been suffering from chest pains prior to the accident. The medical examiner's office has not finished its work, so no official word on whether that played a role in the accident. If you witnessed this accident or have any information that could help with the investigation, please call the state police at 1.800.956.8818. Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

Friends, churchgoers mourn victims of crash
(Middletown-WTNH) _ A memorial was placed on the scene of a crash that killed five people Friday. A cross marks the spot where witnesses say a pickup truck traveling north veered across the median and slammed head on into a car heading southbound. The victims were identified as Gerard and Ester Weitzman of Cromwell, and Frank Zlotowski and Rosemary Loffredo of Middletown. The driver of the pick-up, Jose Ribiero, was also killed.
News Channel 8's Judy Chong talked with grieving friends of the couples.

What began as a double date ended in tragedy. Gerard and Esther Weitzman died along with Rosemary Loffredo and her fiancee, Frank Zlotowski. Instead of getting married, the couple will be memorialized together at their church.

Justina Colon: "They were always together. He'd sit at the front pew every Sunday with her mother while she sang."

Rosemary Loffredo was extremely active at St. Francis Church in Middletown. She organized the Spanish mass 15 years ago. She led the choir, and helped the recently arrived Spanish community adjust to life in Connecticut.

As this choir sang its thoughts were on Laffredo.

Colon: "I could hear her laughter. As a I said, she always had a smile on her face. I never saw her sad."

The 2 couples are described as completely selfless, fun loving, and active in the community. The Weitzman's owned Pelton's Drugstore in Middletown, family operated for 70 years.

Loved ones say the list of all the things they did is too long to name, although a favorite project is the community health center, which serviced the poor.

Rick Carbray, Weitzman's Friend: "Humanitarian, people person, supreme generosity."

For all the accomplishments, Gerard Weitzman's long time friend says he rarely sought the recognition.

Carbray: "Get the job done, he'd be the one to roll up his sleeves and get right in the middle of things, but when it was time to get up there to get the award, it wasn't Gerry."

An eerie coincidence here. Just last week, Gerard Weitzman met with his lawyers to ensure the proper succession in the event of his death. Pelton's will remain family-owned.

Funeral services for the Weitzmans are scheduled for Monday at 10am.

As for the driver of that pick-up which veered in the road, he had reportedly been suffering from chest pains prior to the accident. The medical examiner's office has not finished its work, so no official word on whether that played a role in the accident.

If you witnessed this accident or have any information that could help with the investigation, please call the state police at 1.800.956.8818.

Today's News Page.

WTNH Home Page.