NORTHAMPTON — A pedestrian who died after being hit by a car in the Big Y parking lot on North King Street has been identified by the Northwestern district attorney’s office as Paul Surgen of Florence.

Surgen died from injuries sustained in the accident, which occurred at around 3:30 p.m. Saturday when a vehicle traveling along the lane in front of the grocery store struck him as he was walking with his back to the vehicle on the road next to the sidewalk, according to investigators.

The driver of the car, a 61-year-old Northampton woman, remained on the scene. Her license was immediately suspended as is required by state law in motor vehicle fatalities under investigation, according to the DA’s office.

Surgen, who was 77, had been a postal service worker for 35 years and leaves behind one brother, four children and two grandchildren. According to his obituary, Surgen was an Army veteran, something he took pride in, often offering his time and resources to other veterans seeking assistance.

In addition to his work with the postal service, Surgen served as a local baseball and softball coach, having played baseball for Northampton High School in his youth.

“Paul was more than a coach and mentor — he was well respected, influential and an active member of the community,” his obituary reads. “Known for his strength, wisdom and generosity, he was a trusted friend and a role model to all who crossed his path.”

A funeral service for Surgen is scheduled for Dec. 3.

The fatality remains under investigation by Northampton police, State Police detectives assigned to the DA’s office, state troopers with the Crime Scene Services Section and the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section.

Alexander MacDougall can be reached at amacdougall@gazettenet.com.