‘A total disaster that day’
Shock, dismay, questions linger after deadly Riverside crash
GREENWICH — Shock, sadness and many unanswered questions lingered in the community in the aftermath of a deadly vehicular crash last Thursday that claimed the life of Devon Dalio, 42, a Greenwich native and New York City resident.
Workers in the busy retail complex in the Riverside section of Greenwich were horrified by the fiery impact when Dalio’s 2016 Audi slammed into the Verizon store late last week. The car jumped the curb and drove into the store, causing a major fire and taking Dalio’s life, police said.
The investigation into the incident was continuing Monday, and authorities had not released any further information on any circumstances that factored into the deadly crash.
“It was bad,” said Mariela Ramos, who was working at Mohegan Vape and Cigars at the time of the fire. “The firefighters opened up the roof, and the flames were really coming out. People were anxious. A total disaster that day.”
Reza Asheghi, owner of the the Greenwich Top Salon, took cellphone video of the wreckage, capturing thick brown smoke billowing from the Verizon store. He also heard the impact of the crash.
“It wasn’t loud,” he recalled. “It
broke the window and went in.”
A volunteer firefighter in Glenville, Asheghi called the emergency dispatch center immediately after the crash. He said it appeared that the wheels of the Audi were still revolving at a high speed after the impact, making a loud noise outside the store.
“I could hear the tires still going. ... I think something happened to (Dalio) before he went in,” Asheghi speculated, which had incapacitated Dalio. He said he also saw two Verizon employees running from the premises shortly after the impact. They were not injured in the fiery crash.
It appeared that a bystander made a preliminary effort to get inside the store, as a possible rescue effort, Asheghi and Ramos said. But he was driven back by the high heat and smoke. “Nobody could get him out,” Asheghi said.
Positive identification
Greenwich police Capt. Mark Zuccerella issued a statement Monday afternoon that a positive identification had been made by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, verifying that Dalio was the driver who died in the accident. The medical examiner released no further information about the crash.
“The Greenwich Police sends the deepest sympathies to the family of Devon. The crash is still under investigation and updates will be distributed when information is available,” the captain said.
Fire Marshal Chris Pratico said the fuel from the Audi started the blaze. “The car crashed through the store. We believe the tank was ruptured. The car caught fire in the store. A bad situation,” Pratico said.
Devon Dalio is survived by his parents, Ray and Barbara Dalio; and his wife, daughter and three brothers. Ray Dalio, founder of the Westport-based hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, is a billionaire and philanthropist who underwrites the Greenwich Town Party, an annual daylong concert, and donates to nonprofits around the state.
Devon Dalio was the CEO of his private equity firm. He was previously an employee at Bridgewater Associates, according to the firm. Dalio served as a board member of the family’s foundation, Dalio Philanthropies. The company said he was involved in advocating for health and wellness, support for veterans, disaster relief and animal welfare.
Businesses forced to close
On Monday, local residents expressed dismay and shock near the accident scene, and many had questions about what caused the fatal crash.
“Things like that aren’t supposed to happen in Greenwich,” said a local worker, Liz Silver, “Tragic. And so close to the holidays.”
“A big shock. Really sad,” said Don Lucey, who was running errands at the Riverside Post Office. Like others, he was puzzled by the circumstance that led to the crash. “He must have been going really fast,” he surmised.
The collision has also shuttered two nearby businesses adjoining the Verizon shop, which was destroyed by the fire.
“We kindly ask for your patience and support at this time, as we navigate the loss of our building, inventory, equipment and systems. Our phones are working, but our server was lost in the fire, which makes online communication and booking challenging. Please know that we are still here for you,” wrote the founder and CEO of Dear Greenwich Medical Spa, Marria Pooya. A skincare shop was also closed.
The deadly collision on Dec. 17 has capped an already bad year for vehicular disasters this year.
Andrew Miller, 47, of Bridgeport, died after his car slammed into the Chocoylatte Gourmet bakery and cafe in Cos Cob on Feb. 5. He was a food-service worker at the Nathaniel Witherell, the town-owned skilled nursing and short-term rehabilitation facility.
Oriental Gourmet restaurant Old Greenwich was badly damaged when a Buick SUV slammed into it Oct. 1, forcing it to close.
Three pedestrians were also killed by motor vehicles in 2020 in Greenwich.