Yaakov Gottlieb Photo
Friends and family crowded both sides of Middletown Avenue Sunday afternoon for a candlelit vigil to remember the life of Edwin “Loopy” Deida.
Deida, 23, and his 21-year-old girlfriend Julisa Myers, both of New Haven, died in a dramatic one-car crash around 1 a.m. Sunday. They were the two occupants in a Honda Civic traveling on Middletown Avenue when, according to police, the driver lost control. The car slammed into a pole and snapped in half. The two, who were ejected from the vehicle in the crash, were declared dead at the scene.
Deida and Myers were out on a date at the time of the crash, according to participants in Sunday’s vigil.
Deida leaves behind a 1‑year-old daughter.
His friends at the vigil said he was a one of a kind person.
“He worked hard and loved everybody,” said Amanda Arguelles.
As the hot sun bore down on the crowd, people of all ages packed around the vigil, embracing one another. When the sidewalk filled completely, blue balloons were passed around to family and friends. Together, they released them into the air as a final goodbye to their beloved “Loopy.”
“He was a humble, happy, confident and lovable man. He had everything,” said Miriam Pagan, Deida’s mother.
Edwin Deida Sr., Deida’s father, said how thankful he was to all the people who came out in honor of his son. Brenda Deida, Deida’s stepmother, said she saw many people she didn’t recognize.
“We never expected so many people,” she said. “They are all Edwin’s friends.”