Oxford community mourning student's death

OXFORD -- It had just been just another one of their nights out together, but it ended tragically for one of the three teenage friends.

"They would routinely go out and have something to eat. They like Chinese food," said Kara Wilk, the mother of Dion Major, 16, who was injured in the crash on Old State Road just before midnight.

Major's good friend, Brandon Giordano, 15, of Christian Street, who was a rear-seat passenger in the Mustang driven by Eric Ramirez, 19, of Wood Road, died when the vehicle went airborne and crashed into a building, according to state police. The car landed upside down and all three sustained head injures, according to the accident report.

Ramirez, who was badly injured, was listed in serious condition Monday at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Major, who lives on Hogsback Road, was treated and released from Waterbury Hospital.

Wilk said her son told her a Seymour police officer tried to pull over Ramirez in an area near the CVS on Route 67 in Seymour. But, she said, for some reason, Ramirez decided to accelerate.

She said that eventually Ramirez turned off Route 67 and lost control after he swerved around a car.

It's not known how fast Ramirez was traveling at the time of the crash, or if his car was still being followed by the Seymour police officer. The State Police Accident Reconstruction Squad is in charge of the investigation. There hasn't been an update by state police since the initial report.

Giordano had been sleeping in the back seat but woke up just before the accident, Wilk said. After the accident, she said her son mistakenly thought Giordano was just unconscious. Giordano was pronounced dead at the scene. "My son is really having a hard time with this," she said. "It's just a tough time for all involved and my heart goes out to Brandon's mother."

Giordano was a football player at Oxford High School, where an assembly was held Monday morning to discuss the tragedy. Grief counselors were on hand to talk to students.

High Principal Frank Savo said Monday the school was beginning to deal with Giordano's loss. "Things here are as good as to be expected," Savo said.

"We're starting the healing process and coping as best we can."

In a written statement, the Seymour Police Department extended its heartfelt condolences to Giordano's family.

Giordano, Ramirez and Major were friends, according to other Oxford students, and often went out together on weekends. Several students said Ramirez, who graduated two years ago, had neon lights underneath his car and had been stopped by police before because of them.

Wilk said Ramirez had one light, maybe pink, under his car. "He was fully aware he wasn't supposed to have it," she said.

Source: http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Oxford-community-mourning-student-s-death-3399671.php

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