Internal Affairs Investigation into Fatal Crash Delayed

The Seymour Police Department says there have been delays in scheduling interviews for an internal affairs investigation into the actions of a police officer who attempted to pull over an Oxford driver before a fatal crash on March 9.

The incident occurred on March 9 when Officer Anthony Renaldi attempted to pull over then 19-year-old Eric Ramirez of Oxford for having illegal neon lights on the undercarriage of his car.

Renaldi began chasing Ramirez’ Mustang convertible but it appears from police recordings that night that he broke off the chase because Ramirez was driving at a high rate of speed, at one point reaching 91 mph, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

Ramirez turned off his lights and drove over an embankment at a high rate of speed before the car careened into the air and crashed into a commercial building and landed upside down, police said.  Three teens were in the car and 15-year-old Brandon Giordano died in the crash while Ramirez was injured; a third teen, Dion Major, then 16, was not injured.

The internal affairs investigation will attempt to determine whether Renaldi violated any department policies or procedures on the night of the incident. Renaldi is still on the job, said Lt. Paul Satkowski, Seymour police spokesman. Satkowski is leading the IA investigation.

“We expect to have the report completed within the next two-to-three weeks,” Satkowski said.

Once it is completed, it will be reviewed by the Seymour police chief. He must then determine what action to take. He can make a decision on his own or have the IA investigation reviewed by the Seymour Police Commission, Satkowski said.

It is possible this process could drag on for several months as Renaldi, per union bylaws, is eligible for a hearing of the Police Commission if he is found guilty of any violations. Whether it comes to that remains to be seen.

Internal affairs reports are open to the public per the Freedom of Information Act.

Ramirez, now 20, of 3 Wood Road, was charged by state police with misconduct with a motor vehicle, reckless driving, engaging police in pursuit and two driving infractions in relation to the crash. His case is making its way through the court system.