WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, Ohio — Daniel "Foz" Fazio, a local DJ and WQMX radio personality, was killed in a head-on vehicle collision early Saturday morning, according to police.
Warrensville Heights Police said the crash happened at about 2:45 a.m. Saturday near Interstate 271 South and 480 West.
Police said Fazio, 47, was killed during the head-on collision. Police said a car driven by 31-year-old Luis Caban-Medina was traveling north in the southbound lanes when he hit Fazio’s car head-on. Caban-Medina was also killed in the crash.
Fazio's many friends, family, and colleagues are devastated by his unexpected death.
"Foz was a huge personality. He had a big smile, and whenever he was here, he filled the room before he even opened his mouth. He was just a great guy all around," said Sarah Kay, WQMX program director and morning show host. "We were all just shocked, completely shocked. And we’re completely sad; it’s just shocking."
“Dan's an amazing person. He was an amazing human being. He would give the shirt off of his back to anybody who needed it," said Kristy Helbig-Runt, a friend of Fazio's for the last 12 years. "Anyone that came in contact with Dan, met Dan, instantly loved him. He was the life of the party. His smile could light up a whole room."
Fazio also worked as a DJ for Digital City Underground and the former 92.3 Xtreme radio, according to friends and supporters who set up a GoFundMe for the Fazio family.
"He was really involved in the local music scene for Cleveland, and I think all of the Cleveland bands considered him a brother," Helbig-Runt said. "He did a lot of footwork. He tried to get their music played on the radio."
Fazio's 18th wedding anniversary with his wife Jessica was one day after the fatal crash, his friends said.
You can donate to the GoFundMe here, which will help his wife with the funeral and other essential expenses.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol statistics, there have been 132 wrong-way accidents so far this year, 14 of which have been fatal. Last year, there were 202 crashes, 13 were deadly.
Police said the investigation into the accident continues.
