DANBURY, CT : Danbury police ID three men, two women, in triple fatal crash on Saturday, 3rd September 2016
Police have identified the three men and two women who were in the triple fatal car accident early Saturday morning.
Police said the driver, Raymond Rivera, 31; Waner Nunez, 29; and Nelson Osegueda, 36, all of Danbury, were killed after the Nissan Maxima they were traveling in crashed into a utility pole on Mill Plain Road.
The two women in the car Beatriz Grajales, 34 and Elena Albarran, 23, both of Danbury were injured and taken to Danbury Hospital.
Following the crash, a memorial was created near the utility pole, where loved ones have gathered to pay their respects to the three men killed in the crash. Mourners brought flowers, balloons and written messages. Thirteen candles were placed on the pavement in the shape of a heart.
A candlelight vigil is planned for 8 p.m. on Monday at the parking lot, near where the accident occurred, according to Facebook posts. A GoFundMe page was also started for Rivera, seeking to fundraise $5,000 to pay for his burial costs. As of Monday afternoon, $925 had been raised.
“As you all know we have lost one of the most beautiful souls that have ever existed ... Just as he would look out for any of us its only right we all do the same,” according to a statement on Rivera’s GoFundMe page.
Nunez and Osegueda attended Danbury High School, according to their Facebook pages.
The Putnam County, N.Y., Sheriff’s Department said at 4:20 a.m. Saturday, an officer saw a Nissan Maxima swerve over the center line about three-quarters of a mile from the state line near Kas’s Bar and Restaurant in Brewster, N.Y. The officer tried to pull the car over, believing the driver was intoxicated.
The driver continued traveling below the speed limit, but sped up a quarter-mile before the border. The officer slowed as he approached Connecticut, and called Danbury police. Seconds later, the car sideswiped the steel pole on the driver’s side, according to police.
Authorities are determining the speed of the car when it hit the pole and why the driver did not pull over for the officer. The officer averaged about 65 miles per hour during the chase, with top speeds of 80 miles per hour for about 15 seconds, according to the police report.
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal. Love you Ray,” is written in red marker on the pole.
“RIP Waner. We love you boy, your smile will never be forgotten,” is written in brown.
For many of the mourners, the loss was too fresh to talk about.
One man, who asked to remain anonymous, said he knew Rivera and Nunez from middle school in Danbury. He had lost touch with Rivera for many years, but they reconnected when Rivera got a job at the Cheesecake Factory with him. Rivera had been released from prison, and was now on a great track, the friend said.
“There’s nothing I can say but rest in peace,” he said.
“The only thing I can do is pray for them,” he added.
Others shared their condolences on social media.
One woman, Leslie Dyana, posted on Facebook that she saw Nunez on Friday night and never thought it would be for the last time.
“You were sooo full of life, so generous,” she wrote. “Your smile was by far my favorite and honestly I don't think anyone will ever top your smile, it was my favorite thing about you.”
Another woman, Heather Marie, wrote “RIP Nelson Osegueda our family is deeply sadden over ur loss...its completely heartbreaking to accept that ur gone...”
This story was updated Monday, Sept. 5, 2016 with the Danbury police providing the names of the people who were inside the car.
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Danbury police ID three men, two women, in triple fatal crash