STAMFORD — The two Stamford men killed in a head-on crash in Norwalk this week were the best of friends who were helping each other keep their lives on track.
It was late Monday night when Frankie Peterson, 50, picked up Anthony Lewis Johnson, 40, at Bertucci’s Italian Restaurant on Connecticut Avenue, where Johnson had a job washing dishes in the kitchen.
Johnson’s father, John Johnson, said the two then headed up Connecticut Avenue to grab a hamburger, possibly at nearby McDonald’s. After picking up the food, they went south on Connecticut Avenue toward the Interstate-95 entrance ramp in Darien when they crashed in front of the Double Tree hotel.
Johnson’s father said police have not yet told him who was in the wrong lane, but he said Peterson was a very cautious driver.
“Frankie was a very careful driver and a wonderful person,” said Johnson, who talked to his son about a week ago.
Johnson, a crossing guard at North and Summer streets in Stamford, was back at work Wednesday morning, saying he needed to stay busy to keep his pain at bay.
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“I’m shocked,” he said. “They were best friends. They were just getting back onto their feet and their lives were snuffed out.”
Johnson said his son, who struggled with drugs, was in rehab and working hard to rebuild his life. Johnson said Peterson regularly picked his son up from work, a reflection of how close they were.
Johnson’s sister, Gina Johnson, said, “My brother had a heart of gold. He had an amazing mind and will truly be missed and I hope he is at peace. He died with his best friend at his side and that is all I can say. I pray that everyone involved in this situation finds the peace they need.”
Deputy Fire Chief Stephen Shay said the Norwalk Fire Department responded to a crash shortly after 10 p.m. Monday near 789 Connecticut Ave.
Emergency responders found the two cars — a Subaru sedan and a BMW — in the middle of the roadway with extensive damage.
Firefighters extricated Johnson and Peterson from one vehicle, Shay said. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
The other man was also extricated from his vehicle and transported to Norwalk Hospital.
Police ask anyone who witnessed the accident to call 203-854-3035.
jnickerson
@stamfordadvocate.com