A search for answers as police probe cause of crash

GREENWICH — Police are investigating a fatal car crash in the east end of town Saturday night.

The Office of the State Medical Examiner confirmed Monday that Jordan Martinez, of Stamford, had been classified as an accidental death.

“We’re still investigating, interviewing witnesses, trying to find out the cause,” Greenwich Police Capt. Mark Zuccerella said Monday. He said officers had heard reports about a Honda racing with another car, but the case was in the preliminary stages and it was too soon to draw conclusions.

The Traffic Reconstruction Unit is investigating.

Greenwich police said officers responded to the east end of Greenwich near the Stamford city line about a major accident around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, in the area of 1700 E. Putnam Ave., near the Hyatt Regency Hotel, after a 911 call. Medics and fire units also responded.

Police said a Honda slammed into a pole and the driver, the sole occupant of the car that crashed, died from injuries suffered in the collision.

A nearby neighbor who lives in the area, Tony Rinaldi, said the sound of the collision was startling. “Loud, very loud,” he said Monday. Rinaldi said soon after the crash firefighters worked to free the driver from the wreckage of the silver Honda. “They had to tear the whole car apart, it was really bad. Very sad,” Rinaldi said.

Debris still littered the sidewalk Monday afternoon near where friends of Martinez gathered to mourn his loss and light candles at an impromptu memorial on East Putnam Avenue.

“He was the best, I never knew anybody like him,” said Martinez’s friend, Katherine Garcia, brushing away tears.

The 18-year-old said she and Martinez spent many hours together with friends this summer.

“This is so shocking, heartbreaking,” she said.