By Howard Koplowitz
The vicious tornado that ripped through Queens last Thursday killed a Pennsylvania woman after a tree fell on her car on the Grand Central Parkway, police said.
A St. Albans man, 57-year-old Richie Bermudez, tried to help 30-year-old Aline Levakis of Mechanicsburg, Pa., and died Sunday after suffering an aneurysm Friday after his attempt to lift the tree off her 2010 Lexus, according to Transport Workers Union Local 100, where Bermudez was chairman for the 100th Street Depot in Manhattan.
“TWU Local 100’s leadership sends our prayers and offers our support to Richie and his family at this difficult time,” the union said in a statement.
Levakis was driving eastbound on the Grand Central Parkway near 68th Avenue at around 5:52 p.m. last Thursday when the tree fell on top of her car, police said.
Levakis was in the car with a 60-year-old man sitting in the passenger seat. He survived and was taken to New York Hospital Queens in Flushing in stable condition with minor injuries, police said.
The Post reported the 60-year-old was Levakis’ husband, Billy Levakis.
Billy Levakis told the paper he and his wife were in Queens to shop and visit family. He used to own the Palace Diner in Flushing, he told the Post.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
