An expectant father was killed in Hastings-on-Hudson on Friday when a driver lost control of his vehicle and struck the man before crashing through a fence and over the side of an embankment, authorities said.
Mario Mora, 34, a handyman at the RiverView catering hall on Warburton Avenue in Hastings, was struck as he was removing leaves near the hall in anticipation of an evening party there.
An immigrant from Mexico, Mora was a well-loved employee of the catering hall for 15 years. His coworkers were in tears as they came upon the scene.
"I'm devastated," said Michael Silvestri, president of the RiverView.
Mora's grieving girlfriend Mari Rosario said the couple had been trying to conceive a child for a long time and she had finally gotten pregnant. Mora was recalled as a hard-worker dedicated to his family and job.
"He's a nice person, he liked to work, sick or anything always working," said Ann Sanchez, his step-daughter.
The driver was able to walk away from the crash despite taking a giant plunge.
"Believe it or not after the 80-foot drop off the ravine he was able to walk out on his own power," said Assistant Fire Chief Thomas Fitzpatrick of the Yonkers Fire Department.
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The crash remains under investigation and the driver is cooperating with authorities, police said.
