WINDHAM, N.H. (WHDH) -- A freak accident during the height of Monday’s storm sent a well-known New Hampshire businessman to the hospital.

William Deluca is much admired in Windham because of his charitable and community work.

The fire chief said the man was heading home with his family when, out of nowhere, a tree fell on top of his SUV. The birch tree crushed the SUV and critically injured Deluca.

“The tree came down on the driver’s side so we believe he was on that side in the passenger’s side in the back when the tree made impact to the truck,” said Tom McPherson, Windham’s fire chief.

Bill Duggan said people passing by helped pull Deluca out of the SUV and gave him CPR.

“We thought he was gone. They tried CPR for a long time,” said Duggan.

Firefighters said Deluca is well respected in the community.