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According to Connecticut State Police, Diego Fernando Jimenez, 48, of Newtown, died following a wrong-way crash around 1 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 14, on I-84 in Southbury.
State Police said the crash occurred when David Hozer, 46, of Southbury, was traveling the wrong way on westbound I-84 when his 2011 Audi Q5 struck a limousine Jimenez was driving.
Jimenez died about an hour after the crash at Waterbury Hospital. Hozer died Sunday at St. Mary's Hospital, state police said.
Police are investigating why Hozer was driving in the wrong direction on the highway.
Jimenez, the owner of Phoenix Limousine Service, based in Newtown, was born in Bogotá Colombia, but grew up in Greenwich, and graduated from Greenwich High School class of 1989, his obituary said.
He was a soccer aficionado and broke several high school records. After high school, Jimenez attended Quinnipiac University. Diego and his family have been residents of Newtown since 2004.
He is survived by his wife, Yolanda Jimenez, daughters Isabella,19, and Gabriella, 15, as well as his mother Marleny Jimenez and brother Jorge Jimenez.
He was the soon to be godfather to his future nephew Jackson Jimenez as well as the godfather to Eric Myer and Grace Kelly Jimenez. He is also survived by five step-sisters, one step-brother and many brothers and sister-in-law's, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Jorge Jimenez.
"He was a handsome, caring, loving and exemplary husband, father, brother, and son," he obituary said. "He lived life to its fullest, always bringing joy to all those who came into contact with him. All the words in life could not describe what we feel today and the emptiness in our hearts."
A visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 18 at Honan Funeral Home in Newtown.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 19, at the St Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Newtown.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Isabella and Gabriella Memorial Scholarship, c/o Union Savings Bank, 1 Commerce Road, Newtown, CT. 06470.
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