One year ago today

One year ago today, my friend Andy passed away. He was killed in a fatal car crash, in Fullerton in the early morning hours. It was a horrific accident, the pictures still floo me, and I have a really hard time swallowing the fact that he's gone. We weren't best friends or anything like that. But I met him when we were 16 or 17, and he was the nicest guy ever, one of the most loveable people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing, and when he died, the world lost a great man. He was so talented. And so short!! Haha... he was a little shorter than me, and we joked about that every time we talked. He got me started on Newcastle... lol... which I fervently hated... but is now my favorite beer. Thanks Andy. For the newcastle, and for the memories. You remain in my thoughts, my friend.

Life is so short. Time goes by, so fast. Cherish every day, because you just never know if tomorrow will come or not. We can say our lives are in our hands, but we have no control over the actions of others. Unfortunately, sometimes it is the actions of others, that lead us to destruction, and demise.
Andy was also known as Andrew Martinez, Mr. Pink, Little guy, and most commonly.... Andy DeMize. He was the drummer in the Nekromantix, he was also previously a drummer with the Rocketz. Celebrity wasn't his thing. Music was. But if you met him in a bar, it'd be like meeting up with an old friend you've known your whole life. So, raise your glasses, and have a Newcastle or 3 for Andy.
I miss you Andy. Cheers.
Two killed, two hurt when car careens off 57 freeway

Car ignites trees; driver and a passenger arrested in Fullerton crash...
By BARBARA GIASONE
The Orange Count. Register

FULLERTON – Two people are dead and two critically injured after an early morning crash off the 57 freeway south of Imper..ial Highway, Fullerton Fire Operations Chief Gary Dominguez said... Freeway lanes were inter..mitte..ntly shut down and traffic tied up until 11 a.m.

The vehicle was traveling south bound on the 57 freew..ay when the driver lost control, went over an embankment.. and hit a tree The car burst into flames, igniting a grove of eucalyptus trees The driver and another passenger either were ejected or fled the scene, officials said.

Firefighters responded to reports of a fire in eucalyptus trees at 4:40 a.m. and found the car with the two dead occupants at the base of the trees along a strawberry field, Dominguez said The driver later called 911 from a nearby strawberry field seeking medical attention, according to CHP Sgt. Paul Pines, who was investigating the accident at the scene. The driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI; the driver and the surviving passenger, who also was arrested, were taken to UCI Medical Center. Dominguez said they were listed in critical condition.

According to Pines, the vehicle was so badly twisted and shredded it was barely recognizable as a vintage Chevy Nova.

"I've neve seen a car like this," he said... "As for the condition of the car and people in it, pretty bad."

The SigAlert backed up traff..ic much of the morning as officers intermittently closed all lanes for investigations at the scene. All lanes were reopened at 11 a.m.

The CHP is handling the accident, Dominguez said Neither further details of the crash nor the names of the victims currently were available.