Joseph Zadroga.Photo:Alamy
Alamy
Joseph Zadroga,a prominent advocate for the families of 9/11 first responders, died after an accident at a New Jersey hospital parking lot on Saturday.
The incident took place at Bacharach Rehabilitation in Pomona when an 82-year-old man was pulling his SUV into a parking space, according to a statement from theGalloway Township Police Department.
As he was pulling into the space, the driver “accelerated” and struck a parked vehicle belonging to Zadroga, before hitting him as well. Zadroga, 76, was “subsequently pinned underneath” the Nissan.
“On scene life-saving measures were performed, and Zadroga was transported to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Mainland Division where he was later pronounced deceased,” police said in its statement.
An investigation is ongoing.
Zadroga was the father of New York City Police Department Detective James Zadroga, who died of a respiratory condition in 2006, which was believed to be connected to his time at Ground Zero, per theAssociated Press.
He was also the former police chief of the North Arlington Police Department in New Jersey, CBS affiliateWCBSreported.
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Additionally, he was an advocate for 9/11 first responders and their families, and theJames Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, which was named after his late son, offers federal health benefits to responders who became ill after the attacks.
Zadroga was one of several advocates who pushed for the legislation to continue past its initial 2016 expiration date
“I just want everybody out there, the victims who got sick, to have the health care that they deserve, because Jimmy didn’t get it," he said at a rally in 2014, according to theNew York Postreported.
The following year, the act was reauthorized for 75 more years, until 2090, according to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.
A photo of James Zadroga is displayed on a stone that is part of a new memorial glade at ground zero after a dedication ceremony in New York, Thursday, May 30, 2019.AP Photo/Seth Wenig
AP Photo/Seth Wenig
New York City MayorEric Adamsshared his condolences as well.
“Joe Zadroga never gave up the fight for his son James and all of our 9/11 first responders. Not once,” he wrote in a statement shared on social media. “This is atragic loss of a true heroand I ask all New Yorkers to join me in keeping his family and loved ones in your hearts today.”
“Thanks to Joseph, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 will continue to help thousands of first responders who fell ill after the attacks in 2001,” New York City Police CommissionerEdward Cabanshared in a separate statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Zadroga family during this challenging time."
source: people.com
