A 20-year-old New Jersey Institute of Technology student, whose father is a councilman in Paterson, died Wednesday night when he was hit by an NJ Transit construction vehicle while riding his bicycle in Newark, officials said.

Kevin Milfort-Sanchez, of Paterson, was the son of Paterson 5th Ward Councilman Luis Velez.

An excavation vehicle "operated by NJ Transit" was traveling north on McCarter Highway when it hit Milfort-Sanchez near Gouverneur Street around 8:30 p.m., Essex County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Fennelly said in a release.

Milfort-Sanchez was taken to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:10 p.m.

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh also mourned him in a Facebook post.

"Our hearts are heavy at City Hall today. Please pray for Councilman Luis Velez and his wife, Evelyn," the post stated. "Tragically, they lost their son last night. May Kevin rest in peace."