Bridgeport Marine Killed In Crash, Mourned By Community

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A Bridgeport man who was killed in a crash on the Merritt Parkway just before Christmas is being remembered as a “great Marine who served his country proudly,” according to News12 Connecticut.

Mateo Gaviria, 28, died after a crash Dec. 23 on Route 15 in Westport, according to Connecticut State Police.

Troopers responded shortly after 10:30 p.m. to Route 15 South near Exit 42, where they found a 2016 Toyota Corolla stopped in the middle of two travel lanes and a 2021 Infiniti Q50 in the right shoulder with its front end against the guardrail, according to police.

The Toyota, driven by Gaviria, was traveling south when it struck a median barrier and came to rest in the left lane, where it was hit from behind by the southbound Infiniti, police said, adding Gaviria was outside his vehicle when he was struck by one of the cars.

The occupants of the Infiniti, a man and woman who were both 70-year-old Trumbull residents, were taken to Bridgeport Hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening, according to police.

A friend told News12 Connecticut that he served with Gaviria at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina.

Calling hours for Gaviria were held Tuesday night at the Dennis & D'Arcy - Abriola & Kelemen Funeral Home on Main Street in Stratford.

A graveside service at Mt. Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 3, with a meeting at the funeral home at 10 a.m., according to the obituary announcement.

Read more at News12 Connecticut here.