BLOOMFIELD, N.J. (AP) - A tree has fallen onto the car of a family driving along a New Jersey highway on Christmas morning, killing a grandmother and a father and injuring his two daughters.

New Jersey State Police say the accident happened on the Garden State Parkway in Bloomfield in Essex County. The car was hit by the 40-foot tall tree just after 1 a.m.

The accident killed a 42-year-old Joel Baudouin of Arlington, Mass., and Boston resident Marie Vernet, who was 70. Both died at the scene when the tree crushed their car.

Thirteen-year-old Rachele Baudouin and 8-year-old Cassies Baudouin were sitting in the back seat. Rachele broke her right leg. Her sister suffered minor injuries.

Police are trying to determine why the tree fell.