Victims In Fatal Newton Restaurant Crash Identified
NEWTON (CBS) -- The man and woman killed when an SUV crashed into a West Newton restaurant Tuesday night have been identified. Gregory Morin, 32, of Newton and Eleanor Miele, 57, of Watertown were customers of Sweet Tomatoes at the time of the crash.
Miele is being called the "rock" of her family, which makes her sudden death even more difficult to comprehend.
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"They took away a beautiful woman. She was the best," said Miele's sister-in-law Patricia Desmond.
Her family believes Miele was at the counter of Sweet Tomatoes pizza restaurant in Newton when an SUV came barreling through without warning killing two people and injuring seven.
"I'm just heartbroken," said Desmond. "I had to tell my children, and my son, who, it was his godmother."
Her family says she was bringing pizza to Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Newton where she was working with volunteers on an Easter charity project.
"She'd give you the shirt off her back with her work for charities and such," said her brother Ed Desmond.
Her husband George Miele says he lost his best friend in the freak accident, his wife of 38 years.
Miele worked as an office manager for a Newton law firm and left the office about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday night telling co-workers she was headed for the church.
"It took my breath away, I was speechless," said attorney Bob Joyce.
Morin was an attorney at Latham & Watkins in Boston.
"We are deeply saddened by this tragedy," Hans Brigham, Office Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins in Boston said in a statement.
"Greg was a wonderful colleague and friend to many in Boston and throughout our firm. He was a highly-skilled young lawyer and a compassionate person with incredible spirit and singular wit. Our thoughts and prayers are with Greg's family and friends, as well as the other victims."
Morin's family has asked for privacy.
Seven other people were injured in the crash including four Sweet Tomatoes employees: a 19-year-old woman from Marshfield; a 27-year-old woman from Waltham; a 34-year-old man from Dedham; and a 32-year-old man from Dedham.
Three customers were also injured in the crash: a 44-year-old man from Newton; a 35-year-old woman from Newton; and a 30-year-old man from Brockton.
All victims were transported to area hospitals; at least three victims have been treated and released.
The driver, Bradford Casler, and his female passenger received only minor injuries. MassDOT confirmed to WBZ-TV that Casler's right to operate a motor vehicle had been suspended following the crash.
Members of the community stopped by to lay flowers at the scene of the crash Wednesday morning.
Newton Police tweeted their condolences to the victims of the crash and their families Wednesday morning.
A co-owner of the restaurant told WBZ Tuesday night they were "devastated" after the crash.
The SUV came from the direction of Chestnut Street. Witnesses said the driver never appeared to slow down before crashing into the restaurant.
"Today is a very sad day in the City of Newton," said Newton Mayor Setti Warren in a statement. "The accident that occurred in West Newton last night was a terrible tragedy, and my heart goes out to the victims and their loved ones."
It is still unclear what caused the crash.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karen Twomey reports
