Westfield's Donna Rothstein Dies Following Car Accident

Westfield residents Donna and Bruce Rothstein were heading back from a late afternoon walk in the park Sunday when they were suddenly both struck by a car while crossing Prospect Street, at Cowperthwaite Place. 

"In the middle of the street I was hit and I went airborne," said Bruce Rothstein.  "It was surreal. I never heard anything. Never any brakes. I actually hit the ground. I woke up with an EMT flashing a light at me." 

He learned that his wife Donna, 63, had been severely injured and was rushed to University Hospital in Newark. That evening Bruce Rothstein was at her side with their 28-year old son, Matt. She was put into a medically-induced coma and doctors performed surgery to address the swelling in her brain, but her injuries were too severe. After a few days, Donna was taken off life support. She passed away Wednesday.

The car was driven by Jason Lutz of Westfield, according to Westfield Police.

The Rothsteins were married for 32 years. They had met at a Halloween party at the Bitter End in New York City.

Bruce Rothstein is a dentist. Donna Rothstein was a clinical social worker and psychotherapist with her own private practice in Staten Island. But she had another fulfilling career in music. Under the name Donna Lisa she produced a CD, Toucan You Can. She also wrote children's stories, screenplays and TV pilots, some of which may soon be produced.  

"She's so creative and was so incredible, she could write a song or a new pilot so quickly," said her son, Matt. 

She was also an avid walker, who often took the same route to Mindowaskin Park. Typically she went solo, but on Sunday persuaded her husband to join her.

The funeral will be held Sunday at 1:15 p.m. at the Congregation Beth Hatikvah, 36 Chatham Rd. in Summit. Burial will be held afterwards at the B'nai Abraham Cemetery in Union. 

Family and friends have been reaching out, including the members of the local Democratic Committee who supported Donna Rothstein when she ran for Council 17 years ago when the couple first moved to Westfield. 

An attorney has been retained by the Rothstein family. 

"I know it was an accident," said Bruce Rothstein. "I’m sure this kid's life is not going to be the same either. It only takes an instant to change a life and somebody else’s."