Woman killed in Parkway crash was teacher planning to get married

A 30-year-old woman killed in a crash on the Garden State Parkway over the weekend was a special education teacher who was planning on getting married.

News 12 Staff

Jan 21, 2019, 11:48 AM

Updated 1,932 days ago

Share:

A 30-year-old woman killed in a crash on the Garden State Parkway over the weekend was a special education teacher who was planning on getting married.
Jessica Munoz was a teacher at the Grace Wilday School in Roselle. She had recently moved in with her boyfriend Dan Valentine. She was killed Saturday in a crash on the highway in Clifton.
Munoz’s father Albert Munoz says that she was on her way to see him when she died.
“I got home and she was gone already,” he says.
Munoz says that he was returning home from the hospital following a procedure. Jessica had left Rahway to come meet him at his home in Maywood.
"Three exits away. Exit 157 - she lost control of the car somehow and she passed,” Munoz says.
Jessica was the only person in the car and no other vehicles were involved. State Police have told the family they are investigating whether or not poor weather played a role.
Munoz and boyfriend Dan Valentine moved in together in December and were planning on getting married.
“We had gotten sized for rings,” Valentine says. “We knew it was coming.”
Valentine says that Jessica had decided to head to her father’s home ahead of Valentine, who would meet her there later.
He says he told her, "I'll meet you there. Plus I have the husky. We were going to bring the dog here. I didn't want dog hair in the car. So she left.”
Valentine says that was the last time he saw Jessica. He says that he hopes that she is remembered for putting her family and her students first.


More from News 12
1:52
Police: Child struck by vehicle in Spring Valley, taken to Westchester Medical Center

Police: Child struck by vehicle in Spring Valley, taken to Westchester Medical Center

1:39
Mild, temperatures in the 70s Tuesday in the Hudson Valley

Mild, temperatures in the 70s Tuesday in the Hudson Valley

1:56
Ceremony held to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day in White Plains

Ceremony held to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day in White Plains

1:42
24-year-old double organ transplant recipient hosts blood drive in Pomona

24-year-old double organ transplant recipient hosts blood drive in Pomona

1:49
SUNY Purchase faculty and students want disciplinary action against protesters dropped

SUNY Purchase faculty and students want disciplinary action against protesters dropped

0:50
Orange County cracks down on drivers who illegally pass school buses with cameras

Orange County cracks down on drivers who illegally pass school buses with cameras

1:36
‘Very best’ of PD: City of Newburgh promotes longtime lieutenant to chief

‘Very best’ of PD: City of Newburgh promotes longtime lieutenant to chief

0:23
State police work to ID body that washed ashore in Poughkeepsie

State police work to ID body that washed ashore in Poughkeepsie

1:01
Tuckahoe Village Board hears Ward House appeal

Tuckahoe Village Board hears Ward House appeal

0:35
Rockland DA: 23-year-old man indicted in New City driveway stabbing

Rockland DA: 23-year-old man indicted in New City driveway stabbing

1:11
SUNY Purchase creates ‘protest zone’ following encampment break up by police

SUNY Purchase creates ‘protest zone’ following encampment break up by police

1:53
FEMA awards Babbitt Court with grant to raise homes to reduce flooding

FEMA awards Babbitt Court with grant to raise homes to reduce flooding

2:15
Turn To Tara explores how to stay safe from ‘cyber kidnapping’ scams

Turn To Tara explores how to stay safe from ‘cyber kidnapping’ scams

1:20
Headlines: Putnam Valley man dies in excavating accident, 2 injured in Newburgh fire, man charged with larceny in Liberty

Headlines: Putnam Valley man dies in excavating accident, 2 injured in Newburgh fire, man charged with larceny in Liberty

0:45
Hudson River Clean Up Day celebrates 13th year

Hudson River Clean Up Day celebrates 13th year

0:47
New Rochelle hosts 'Cinco De Mile' charity event

New Rochelle hosts 'Cinco De Mile' charity event

1:51
Hundreds walk at Glen Island Park to raise money for multiple sclerosis research

Hundreds walk at Glen Island Park to raise money for multiple sclerosis research

0:30
Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

2:06
New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

3:17
SUNY Purchase students hold quiet demonstration following arrests of protestors

SUNY Purchase students hold quiet demonstration following arrests of protestors