Crime & Safety

State Police Lead Accident Investigation

Editor's Note: This article is a collaboration between Oxford Patch and the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Police have released few details about the events leading up to a fatal crash in Oxford Friday night.

The Connecticut State Police are investigating the incident and don't plan to give any specific information until after the probe is complete, State Police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance said Monday.

"There's a whole host of work that needs to be done to answer all the questions," he said.

Find out what's happening in Oxfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The accident occurred just before midnight Friday, after Seymour police tried to stop a 2000 Ford Mustang.

The backseat passenger in that vehicle, Brandon Giordano, 15, of Christian Street, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. He died of blunt force trauma, according to the Chief State Medical Examiner's Office. 

Find out what's happening in Oxfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The driver of the car, Eric Ramirez, 19, of Oxford, was listed in serious condition Monday at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Another passenger, Dion Major, a sophomore at Oxford High School whose age was not listed by police, sustained minor injuries and was treated and released.

The crash occurred just before midnight after Ramirez turned right onto Old State Road but eventually lost control of the car, which went off the road to the right.

The car then hit an embankment and flew into the air; it crashed into a commercial building at 43 Old State Road and came to a rest on its roof next to the structure.

Seymour Police have not said why they were trying to pull over the car.

"A case incidence report has not been completed yet," Seymour Lt. Paul Satkowski said Monday morning. "Until that is done, no more information will be released."

Vance declined to give any more details.

"We'll look at all the facts and circumstances," he said. "We'll look at where the young people were coming from, where they were headed to. . . the vehicle, its mechanical condition."

Vance called the accident is a true tragedy, "and we'll do a thorough and unbiased review." He said it could be several weeks before that review is completed. He has already spoken with Seymour police officials, and will continue to do so throughout the investigation.

Members of the state police's accident reconstruction squad are investigating the accident.

Note: Seymour police have submitted news release; it's attached to this article.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.