Last updated: Sunday April 6, 2008, EDT 7:25 AM
A Paramus man was killed and his wife left brain dead Friday morning as a result of a one-vehicle accident in Pennsylvania.
Frederick Becker, 78, and Elena Becker, 72, were on their way to North Carolina to meet Elena Becker's sister, Roseann Sanchez of Palm Coast, Fla., for a vacation.
Elena Becker lost control of the vehicle at approximately 9:49 a.m. while driving west on Interstate 78, Pennsylvania State Police said. She and her husband were near the Strausstown exit in Upper Tulpehocken Township, Pa., they said.
Their daughter, Dina Ciparchia of Dumont, estimated that they were on the road for only two hours before the accident. Elena Becker was driving because her husband didn't "like driving anymore," Ciparchia said.
The Beckers' 2002 Chrysler van left the roadway, crossed a grass shoulder and struck an embankment, police said. The Beckers were thrown from the vehicle when it rolled several times and landed back on the highway, blocking both westbound lanes, they added.
Neither was wearing a seat belt, police said.
"I would say that was a bad habit [of theirs]," Ciparchia said.
In addition to Dina Ciparchia, the couple is survived by three sons, Brian Becker of Lodi, Bruce Becker of Reading, Pa., and Bart Becker of Stratford, Conn., another daughter, Donna Ciccarelli of Paramus, and nine grandchildren.
The couple was taken to Reading Hospital by ambulance, but Fred Becker later died as a result of multiple blunt force trauma, police said.
Elena Becker sustained serious injuries and was declared brain dead Saturday, Ciparchia said, adding that her mother was left on life support Saturday evening so that Sanchez could say goodbye.
The Beckers lived in Paramus for 49 years.
Frederick Becker served as a U.S. Marine in the Korean War and worked as a stagehand in New York City before his retirement. Elena Becker was an entrepreneur.
State police said Saturday that they were still investigating the accident.
Investigators were considering the possibility that Elena Becker suffered a heart attack or stroke, causing her to lose control of the vehicle, Ciparchia said.
But "she had no heart problems," Ciparchia added.
E-mail: shih@northjersey.com
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