2016 Audi Drove into Riverside Verizon, Fire Ignited, Driver Perished, Employees Evacuated

The Greenwich Police Department and Connecticut State Police are continuing the on-scene investigation Friday morning into the crash at the Verizon store in Riverside that took place Thursday afternoon.

Verizon store Friday Dec 18, 2020 Photo: Leslie Yager
Verizon store Friday Dec 18, 2020 Photo: Leslie Yager
Verizon store Friday Dec 18, 2020 Photo: Leslie Yager

Greenwich Police Captain Mark Zuccerella gave an update around 9:15am Friday morning saying that when officers arrived on scene around 3:50pm, the store was completely engulfed in smoke.

“The fire and smoke prevented the officers from approaching the interior of the store,” he said, adding that the cause of the collision, cause of the fire, and cause of death to the driver are unknown and investigation is being conducted to determine the causes.

What police do know is that the car, a 2016 Audi, drove over the parking strip, mounted the curb, crashed through the Verizon store front doors and traveled completely into the store. After entering the store, a fire ignited.

All employees were able to exit the store without injuries, though the driver died as a result of the incident. The driver’s identity will be released once the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner obtains a positive identification.

This story will be updated when more information becomes available.

Original story:

Crash into Store in Riverside Results in Fatality; Putnam Ave Shut to Traffic from Sound Beach to Sheephill

5:10pm, Dec 17, 2020

Plume of smoke in the area of Riverside Commons. Dec 17, 2020 Contributed image.