24-Year-Old Iraq Veteran Died in Sunday's Accident

Charles M. Rochlin, a 24-year-old Westport resident and U.S. Marine who had recently returned home from Iraq died Sunday in the car accident on Greens Farms Road, according to Westport police.

At this point, the investigation is in early stages, said Capt. Foti Koskinas. The initial investigation has shown the car lost control on Greens Farms Road and crashed into a tree.

"We do suspect alcohol was involved," Koskinas said.

Heavy rain and fog could have also been contributing factors.

Koskinas said police are still determining who was driving the car and are working to obtain warrants to review the vehicle information as well as medical records of those involved in the accident. Police suspect 25-year-old Matthew Packer of Westport was driving.

Westport police responded to the area of 109 Greens Farms Road at 2:45 a.m. Sunday with the Westport Fire Department and Westport EMS.

Both Rochlin and Packer were transported to Norwalk Hospital. Packer sustained non-life threatening injuries.

The accident remains under investigation by the Westport Police Department Detective Bureau and Accident Investigation Team. The Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Unit was requested to assist with forensic evidence and will be working with Westport detectives.

An autopsy by the State Medical Examiner's Office was scheduled for Charles Rochlin at 9:30 a.m. Monday. Officials there said Tuesday the autopsy results showed Rochlin died from multiple blunt traumatic injuries sustained in an accident. 

The Police Department asks anyone who may have witnessed the accident or has information about it to call the Police Department at (203)-341-6000.

ABOUT CHARLEY

Charles Rochlin, known to many as Charley, was born Sept. 14, 1985, in Norwalk and has been a lifelong resident of Westport, according to his obituary.

He attended Fairfield Prep for three years where he played competitive ice hockey. He graduated from Staples High School in June 2003 and left Connecticut to attend the University of Colorado for three years.

In March 2008, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. After completing a seven-month tour in Iraq, Rochlin returned home in September and was currently stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. He was scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan in January.

Sig Johnsen, a Wilton resident and former marine, said he's known Charley's father, Scotty, for about eight years.

"I just met Charley two years ago," Johnsen said. "I was in the Marine Corps too, so we had a nice little bond. We talked about what he would experience in boot camp and in combat. It was a mentor type of relationship."

Johnsen served as a marine for two years during the Vietnam War. His final rank was corporal. Charley Rochlin was a lance corporal.

Johnsen said Charley excelled in boot camp, made an "exemplary marine" and was respected by his peers. He finished boot camp at the top of his class.

Johnsen last saw Charley over Thanksgiving. He was supposed to meet up with him this week.

"He was a very intense and committed to the Marine Corps and very pleased with what he had done and what he accomplished," Johnsen said. "He was very proud as he should have been."

Charley Rochlin is survived by his father and stepmother, G. Scott and Lucretia Rochlin of Westport; his mother, Michele Gougeon of Prescott, AZ; his three grandmothers, Lois Holly, Gayle Rochlin and Patricia Ingram and his great grandmother, Mary Proto. He is also survived by two brothers, Dylan Rochlin of Weatherford, TX, Cannon Sorrenson of Prescott, AZ, and three sisters, Brittany, Kendall and Taylor Rochlin all of Westport. He was predeceased by his grandfather, Arnold L. Rochlin.

The family said they did not wish to be interviewed at this time.

Friends are invited to attend a mass at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday at Saint Luke Church, 49 Turkey Hill Rd. N., Westport. Interment with full military honors will follow in Willowbrook Cemetery, 395 Main St., Westport. Harding Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

The family will greet friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Harding Funeral Home, 210 Post Rd. E., Westport. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517 or visit woundedwarriorproject.org for online directions.

For those who would like to express condolences online, a Legacy.com Guest Book has been set up for Charles M. Rochlin. To sign or view the Guest Book, click here.