HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – A longtime city minister has died after he was struck by a car driven by a member of his congregation, police said.

Minister Willie Relph, a married father of two, had been a leading member of Christ Church of Deliverance for about 38 years, Pastor Andrew Clancy said Monday morning.

As minister, Relph assisted Clancy and often performed services in his absence, as he did Sunday. Relph was outside the church after services about 9:30 p.m. when he was struck by the car, police said.

A member of the church was driving the car out of a parking area when the car struck the pastor and two others.

Clancy was not there but said he had been told that the driver was backing out, the accelerator got stuck and he could not stop in time.

Clancy said he planned to meet with Relph’s family and the driver, who he said was a longtime church member.

“The only comfort I can offer is prayer,” he said. “These things happen every day, but after all, we have to pray and ask God to forgive us and keep on going.”