Medical Examiner: Three Involved in Crash Dead Before Fire

While a representative from the Westchester County Medical Examiner's Office said dental records are still needed to confirm the identity of 19-year-old Bruno Vaccarezza, his three passengers all died from "multiple, blunt force injuries."

Autopsies were performed yesterday on all four victims of Sunday's tragic Sprain Brook Parkway one-car collision, the Medical Examiner's Office employee, who declined to be named, said; as well as carbon monoxide tests.


The cause of death for 19-year-old Fernanda Gomez of Port Chester was listed as: "Multiple blunt force injuries with fractures of skull, spine, pelvis and leg" as well as "aorta, spleen and liver lacerations."

Port Chester's Juliana Restrepo, 18, died of "multiple blunt force injuries" and fractured spine; as well as liver, aorta and spleen lacerations.

20-year-old Vincent Mendoza of Norwalk, CT, suffered fatal blows to ribs, sternum, lower jaw and femur, authorities said. He also had a laceration to his liver.

All three deaths have been labeled "accidental," and the Medical Examiner's Office noted that all three bodies were burned while inside the vehicle that struck the overpass.

The tests for carbon monoxide in the bodies came in negative, authorities said, which further indicates they were deceased before the 2013 Volkswagon caught fire on the side of the road.

The Medical Examiner's office said it will likely be able to confirm Vaccarezza's identity by tomorrow, at which point his official cause of death will also be released.

Related:
Autopsy Results Pending for Four Crash Victims
Sprain Crash Claims 4: Footage from the Scene
Update: Four Dead in Sprain Parkway Accident