87-year-old Wellington man dies when wife accidentally backs car over him

WELLINGTON, Fla. -- An 87-year-old Wellington man was killed Sunday after a car driven by his wife backed over him, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said.

Paul Gagliani was standing in his driveway in the 1800 block of Capeside Circle around 10:45 a.m., when his wife, 81-year-old Halina Gagliani began backing her 2012 Ford Focus out of the garage.

Witnesses said Paul was going out to get a newspaper when he was hit by the vehicle's rear bumper, causing him to fall beneath the car, according to a sheriff's office report.

Neighbors tried to help him, but he was pronounced dead on the scene.

Neighbor Michelle Fitz-Gibbons said the aftermath of the scene was "heartbreaking."

"She was screaming," Fitz-Gibbons said of Halina. "Everyone in the neighborhood probably heard it."

Halina was brought to Palms West Hospital in Loxahatchee to be treated for distress.

"It's hard enough losing your husband, but when it happens and it's not her fault -- and it wasn't on purpose -- it's even more heartbreaking," said Fitz-Gibbons. "She was having a nervous breakdown."

No charges are expected to be filed, the sheriff's office said.