Community helps wife of Massachusetts man killed crossing Vets Highway

Family and friends are rallying around the loved ones the 55-year-old Massachusetts man struck and killed while crossing Veterans Memorial Highway in Ronkonkoma Thursday night.

A fundraiser launched within hours of the crash has already brought in more than $1,400 in its first six hours. The effort was started by a family member who said Jones “could light up a room” and was deeply devoted to his partner, Cathy.

The funds will go toward funeral and memorial costs.

Jones, of Fall River, Mass., was in the crosswalk at Fifth Avenue when he was hit by a westbound 2013 Honda Civic about 7:11 p.m., Suffolk police said. He was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The driver, Erin Archibald, 64, of Smithtown, was not injured.

Police impounded the vehicle for a safety check, and detectives from the police department’s Fifth Squad are asking anyone with information to call 631.854.8552.

_{Top: Jim Jones with his wife Cathy (GoFundMe).}