Fatal Accident Shuts Down Ritch Avenue West in Greenwich's Byram Neighborhood
Updated: May 12
A tragic early-morning accident on Mother’s Day left one person dead and another seriously injured, causing a nearly 24-hour closure of a major neighborhood artery.
At approximately 2:10 AM on Sunday, May 10, a Lexus LS400 traveling eastbound reportedly ran a red light at the intersection of Delavan Avenue and Frontage Road. According to Greenwich Police, an officer had observed the vehicle traveling at 50 mph—double the posted 25 mph speed limit—just moments before the crash.
The vehicle veered off the road and struck a utility pole with significant force near the entrance to Byram Park, causing the car to catch fire. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. A front-seat passenger survived the impact and was extricated by first responders before being transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.
Current Status
After an extensive investigation and overnight emergency repairs by utility crews to replace the destroyed pole, Ritch Avenue West has officially reopened to traffic as of Monday morning, May 11. Police released the name of the deceased driver: Franklin Sousa Filho, a 21-year-old Greenwich resident. The identity of the injured passenger has not yet been released.
A Pattern of Tragedy
This weekend's fatality mirrors a hauntingly similar accident from late last year. In October 2025, 60-year-old Eugene Banks of Stamford lost his life when his vehicle struck a tree near the same park entrance and caught fire.
Between the Lines: This tragedy is the latest in a string of serious accidents along the Delavan Avenue corridor, a stretch long criticized by residents for its dangerous geometry and heavy "shortcut" traffic from I-95. The incident will likely reignite a heated debate at Town Hall over whether recent "traffic calming" measures—like curb extensions and flashing beacons—are sufficient, or if the entire corridor requires a more aggressive safety redesign.