Long Island Man Dies After Car Plunges Into Connecticut River

A 76-year-old Long Island man died Saturday night after a car plunged into a Connecticut river, authorities said.

The man who died in Saturday's night crash into the Saugatuck River in Westport was identified by Westport Police as Richard Lamendola, of Syosset.

"Preliminary information indicates the vehicle entered the river from the state boat launch off of Elaine Road," Westport Police Lt. David Farrell said in a statement. "The cause of the incident is still under investigation."

The other person in the vehicle, believed to be Lamendola's wife reports Westport Now, survived the crash.

The incident unfolded at about 7:40 p.m. when patrons at The Whelk Restaurant at 575 Riverside Ave., which overlooks the Saugatuck River, heard the woman screaming for help, according to Farrell.

"The witnesses could not see the female, but heard her screams coming from the Saugatuck River. They called 911, and Westport Police officers and firefighters responded immediately," Farrell said. "Emergency responders observed a female struggling in the middle of the river heading north with the current. Westport firefighters and officers boarded a civilian boat on the side of the river and successfully rescued the female."

Exactly how the vehicle ended up in the river was not immediately known. The vehicle reportedly was found submerged in the river opposite the Black Duck Cafe near the state boat ramp.

The woman was taken to Norwalk Hospital for treatment, and she told emergency personnel that a man was also in the vehicle. Richard Lamendola was found in the water by emergency personnel a half hour later floating near the Bridge Street bridge.

Lamendola was pronounced dead at Norwalk Hospital.

"No foul play is suspected," Farrell said.

Photo: Westport Police

Story by Alfred Branch