Teen killed following police chase

Oxford, Conn. (WTNH) - One teen was killed and his two friends were injured after a police chase in Oxford.

15-year-old Brandon Giordano was in the back seat of the Mustang when it went off Old State Road, struck an embankment and hit a building after becoming airborne. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Eric Ramirez, 19, was driving the car. Seymour police were trying to stop the car when Ramirez lost control after turning onto Old State Road from Route 67 around 11:47 p.m.

The car landed on it's roof next to the building located at 43 Old State Road.

Ramirez was taken to Waterbury Hospital with serious injuries, and transferred to Yale New Haven Hospital shortly after, where he is listed in serious condition. Officials say he was able to move his hands and feet, so they do not believe he is paralyzed.

Dion Major, 16, was sitting in the front seat of the car. He was taken to Waterbury Hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

Hundreds of students and parents have gathered around the flag pole at Oxford High School on Saturday night underneath the flag which flew at half staff. Those gathered lit candles and are said prayers for a 16-year-old life cut short.

"I'll remember him with that smile on his face, calling me Old Man, joking around, calling me Papa, saying 'You want to roll around in the grass', and I would say 'Anytime,' because I know he would take it easy on me, he was twice my size," said Gerald Giordano, Brandon's grandfather.

"He was the type of kid that you could always trust, but then when you needed a laugh or two he would always be there for you and he was everything you would want in a role model, and I am a senior, he was a sophomore and I still thought of him as a role model, it shows he was something special," said Justin Lasto.

Friends say he was a leader on and off the football field, and while only 16 he had a big future ahead of him. The students gathered candles in one hand and balloons in the other and after a moment of silence released the balloons into black sky.

"Brandon was a tremendously popular, funny kid and right now we are going to rally around the family," said Frank Savo, the Principal at Oxford High.

Police say the incident is under investigation.