Massive 100-year-old tree destroys cars, damages homes, injures 1 on Bronx street

WOODLAWN HEIGHTS, Bronx (WABC) -- A massive tree believed to be a century old toppled in the Bronx Tuesday, tearing down power lines, destroying cars, damaging homes and leaving one pedestrian with undisclosed injuries.

The tree came down around 10 a.m. on East 238th Street in the Woodlawn Heights section. The enormous trunk and scattered branches completely blocks the street from one sidewalk clear across to the other side.

Officials from the New York City Parks Department said it was a Pin Oak Tree, about 50 inches in diameter and estimated to be about 80 to 100 years old. It is currently unknown what caused the tree to fall.

One woman was injured and taken to the hospital, but the extent of her injuries is unknown. According to a neighbor, the victim was gardening in her yard at the time.

Tom Letizia and his family were home when the tree came crashing down near their house.

"I just jumped, told her, 'get dressed, we're getting out of the house,'" Letizia said. "Ran to the front room, where my son sleeps, grabbed him. And the tree is in the window...I saw the lines, thought maybe there was going to be a fire."

Con Edison arrived to the scene shortly after the tree fell to de-energize the power lines on the street, and tree removal services were also present to work on the massive undertaking of removing the tree.