Newtown Man Killed In Merritt Parkway Crash

By Andrew Gorosko

STAMFORD — A Newtown man, who worked as a property master on many major Hollywood films, died as a result of injuries he received in a two-vehicle head-on accident that occurred on the Merritt Parkway about 7 pm on Friday, April 6.

Scott Getzinger, 46, of Little Brook Lane, Newtown, died at Stamford Hospital as a result of the injuries he received in the accident that happened on the Merritt Parkway about one-half mile south of Exit 36.

A spokeswoman for the chief state medical examiner’s office said April 10 that autopsy results indicated that multiple blunt traumatic injuries caused Getzinger’s death. State police said that Getzinger received head, chest, and leg injuries, including bone fractures.

State police said that Getzinger was driving his 2002 Ford F-150 pickup truck northward in the right lane, as Alexandra Orteig, 18, of New Canaan was driving a 1999 Lexus RX-300 SUV southward in the right lane.

Orteig suddenly lost control of the Lexus and it then spun out of control, striking the center median guardrail and crossing over into the northbound lanes, state police said, where the Lexus then struck the Ford in a head-on collision.

Getzinger was transported to Stamford Hospital and was later pronounced dead due to his injuries, state police said.

Orteig and Lexus passenger Mary Grace Higbie, 17, of New Canaan both were transported to Stamford Hospital for possible injuries and medical evaluation, state police said.

The accident resulted in the parkway’s closure in that area while state police investigated the crash.

The incident is under investigation, according to state police.

Getzinger worked as a property master in the film and television industry, providing props for more than 25 movies, including Spider-Man, Independence Day, The Truman Show, and the upcoming Men In Black III and The Dark Knight Rises.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on April 12, with interment in St Rose Cemetery in Sandy Hook.