The beloved owner of a very popular pizzeria in the Hudson Valley was killed in a gruesome crash on 684.

On Saturday, New York State Police from the Somers barracks investigated a fatal motor vehicle crash on Interstate 684 in the town of North Castle that occurred at approximately 1:00 a.m.

According to police, 47-year-old Joseph Piscopo Jr., of Brewster rear-ended a 2001 Dodge Dakota while heading north on Interstate 684. While attempting to pull off onto the shoulder of the highway, Piscopo’s 2001 GMC Denali was hit from behind by a 2012 Izuzu box truck operated by Saed K. Alkasaji, 43, of Danbury CT.

A passenger in Piscopo's car, 69-year-old Maria Piscopo of Brewster, was later pronounced dead at Westchester Medical Center.

Joseph Piscopo Jr. and Alkasaji were taken to the hospital with undisclosed injuries.

Maria Piscopo was the owner of Johnny’s Pizzeria in Mount Vernon. Her late husband's father opened up the pizza shop in 1942.

"Our pizza and food is so desired that many of our customers travel great distances just to have a meal," the pizza shop says on it's website.

This investigation remains ongoing, police say.

The State Police were assisted on scene by the Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Katonah Fire Department, Troop K Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit, Troop K Collision Reconstruction Unit, and the Westchester Medical Examiner’s Office.

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