Driver Killed In Fiery Shopping Center Crash ID’d As 16-Year-Old

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The driver killed in a car crash on Saturday has been identified by police as a 16-year-old New Rochelle resident.

Investigators awaited the results of a dental record comparison to formally make an official announcement on the identification of Aidan Galeano who had just completed his sophomore year at Iona Prep, but the New Rochelle community has already been mourning the passionate baseball teammate, known by many as “Stix.”

Galeano’s love of sports made him a beloved member of New Rochelle Little League and travel tournament teams. He dreamed of one day becoming a firefighter, according to his obituary.

Shortly after midnight on Saturday, the 2019 Honda Accord he was driving was traveling eastbound on Wilmot Road at a high rate of speed when it veered into the Golden Horseshoe Shopping center, where it collided with a metal light post and concrete footing, according to police. The cause of death has been deemed to be blunt force trauma and smoke inhalation. The toxicology report is still pending, according to authorities.

Galeano only possessed a learner’s permit, according to DMV records.

Galeano’s family and friends, including his parents, Frank and Liz, and his sister, Kayla, will gather on Thursday to celebrate his life at Coxe & Graziano Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be sent to the New Rochelle Little League here or to the Eastchester Blue Devils here.