Update: Four Dead in Sprain Parkway Accident

Note: This article has been updated since its original 12:52 p.m. posting.

Four people—two of Port Chester and two of Connecticut—are confirmed dead in a one-vehicle accident that occurred on the Sprain Brook Parkway in Greenburgh early this morning, according to New York State Police.

At a press conference this afternoon in Hawthorne, Trooper K Commander Major Michael A. Kopy told the press, "At approximately 5:30 a.m. this morning, a passerby reported what was initially reported as a car fire in the northbound lanes of the Sprain Brook Parkway at the Underhill Road overpass, which is located in the Town of Greenburgh."


The Greenville Fire Department responded to the scene and began to put out the 2013 Volkswagon's fire.

Kopy said it appears the car had gone off-road before slamming into the concrete overpass, noting the vehicle was "probably traveling above the speed limit."

While fighting the fire, investigators noticed people were trapped inside the vehicle. Four people were extracted and pronounced dead.

"It's a very significant accident," Kopy said.

Cos Cob, CT, resident Bruno Vaccarezza, 19, has tentatively been identified as the vehicle's driver. Police said Vaccarezza rented the vehicle that was involved in the crash from a Stamford, CT, Enterprise on August 12.

Front seat passenger Fernanda Gomez, 19, and Juliana Restrepo, 18, are both from Port Chester, police said.

The final passenger, 20-year-old Vincent Mendoza of Norwalk, CT, was identified later Sunday afternoon after police were able to contact his family. Mendoza was seated in the rear passenger seat of the Volkswagon, police said.

"At this point, it's an active investigation," Kopy said. "Unfortunately, we have no witnesses at this time."

The four bodies have been taken to Westchester County Medical Examiner; their autopsies are scheduled for tomorrow. It is not yet clear if the driver and passengers were killed by the impact or the fire that resulted.

While an initial investigation reveals speed was likely a factor in the accident (no skid marks on the road have been identified), there's also no indication Vaccarezza was asleep or drugs/alcohol were involved, based on evidence in the vehicle.

Toxicology tests will also be performed, Kopy added.

Kopy said tentative information reveals Vaccarezza may have rented the vehicle after his own car was damaged in a previous accident.

Police have been conducting accident reconstruction efforts in the area, and the northbound lanes of the parkway were just recently reopened.

Kopy said there will likely be residual delays from the closings, but travelers "should have no further problems" this evening.

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the accident, saw the Volkswagon driving northbound at approximately 5:30 a.m.; or anyone who knows the relationship of the four people, where they were going or where they were coming from, to contact police anonymously today at 914-769-2600.