Three brothers; Nelson Torres, Kayden Torres, Noel Torres and another man Jonathan Puszka killed after car crashes into market in Waterbury
A devastating crash in Waterbury, Connecticut, claimed the lives of four young men including three brothers—early Thursday morning, after a speeding vehicle careened into a neighborhood market, causing part of the building to collapse.
The crash occurred just before 1 a.m. on Cherry Avenue, where police say a vehicle traveling at high speed lost control and slammed into Hernandez Market. Three of the occupants were pronounced dead at the scene, while a fourth later died from injuries at the hospital.
Authorities identified the victims as 20-year-old Jonathan Puszka and brothers Kayden Torres, 20, Nelson Torres, 25, and Noel Torres, 15.
Cesar Torres, a nearby resident and relative of the victims, recounted the harrowing moments after the crash. “We tried to get in there and wires were all over the place,” he said. “It was smart that we didn’t, because we had to wait for them to secure the poles so the roof wouldn’t fall on top of us.”
The market was closed at the time of the crash, and no other injuries were reported.
Police have not yet released information about what may have led the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Investigators continue to examine the scene and gather evidence.
Cherry Avenue remains closed to traffic from East Main Street to Walnut Avenue as cleanup and reconstruction efforts continue.
The Waterbury community is in mourning following the sudden and tragic loss of four young lives. Memorials have begun forming near the crash site, as friends, family, and neighbors grapple with the heartbreak. Local officials urge anyone with information about the crash to contact the Waterbury Police Department.
