Former State Assemblyman Alberto Coutinho died of cardiac failure following a two-car accident in Newark yesterday morning, according to NJ.com.
The 56-year-old, who represented Newark’s Ironbound district for multiple terms, was driving down McCarter Highway when his car collided with another around 7:30 a.m., according to WABC-TV.
"Al fought for job creation, recreational space and workforce reentry reforms, all of which helped strengthen our city," Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said in a statement to WNBC. "Al was a central pillar of our Portuguese community, the Ironbound, and the city at large."
Assemblyman Coutinho represented the 29th District from May 1997 until January 1998 and again from January 8, 2008 until he resigned on September 11, 2013.
"Asm.Coutinho served on several Assembly Committees, including two that are of particular interest to NJAMHAA: the Budget Committee and the Human Services Committee. He recognized the need for mental healthcare system improvements and expressed concern about the state's readiness to expand Medicaid eligibility to more New Jersey residents," said Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO of NJAMHAA. "We send Asm. Coutinho's family, friends and colleagues our heartfelt condolences during this difficult time."
