Salvatore Aquia, a former university wrestler and one-time Maryland state wrestling champion, was struck and killed on Interstate 795 in the early hours of March 25, Maryland State Police reported Sunday. He was 25.
Aquia was a Baltimore native and lived in Rosedale. He was a starter for the university’s wrestling team during his freshman, sophomore and senior years and finished with a career record of 51-32. He graduated in 2003.
As a high school senior, Aquia led his wrestling team at Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore to win the state championship in 1997. He later won the National Prep Tournament while attending Blair Preparatory Academy in Blairstown, N.J.
Former wrestling coaches recalled Aquia’s athletic prowess and penchant for hard work.
“He was very gifted athletically,” said former Terrapin head wrestling coach John McHugh. “At practice, he was a brute.”
Former assistant coach Kevin Kearns said he often spent extra time after practice working with Aquia.
“Even if nobody else wanted to do anything else, he’d always come over and ask, say, ‘Let’s do something extra,’” Kearns said.
Aquia, the son of Italian immigrants, kept close ties to his large family, especially to his older brother, Tony. The two forged a strong bond ever since childhood, Tony serving as an authoritative figure when their father was called away from their Baltimore home as part of his job as a merchant marine. The two remained close.
Junior Italian major Gina Andracchio, Aquia’s cousin, spent summers vacationing in Italy with him.
“As tough as he was as a wrestler, he was very kind and funny,” she said. “He savored every moment of his life.”
Aquia’s aunt, Carmela Andracchio, remembered Aquia for his family devotion.
“Family was first — anything for his family,” Carmela said.
Maryland State Police said that Aquia was a passenger in a car headed south on I-795 about 5 a.m. March 25. The driver, Timothy Logan — Aquia’s co-worker at T. Rowe Price — told police Aquia began an altercation with him while the vehicle was in motion.
According to police, Logan pulled the car onto the shoulder near Mount Wilson Lane, and Aquia apparently exited the car. Aquia reportedly ran in and out of traffic until a vehicle swerved and stopped to avoid him. Aquia then pulled the antenna off the vehicle, struck the vehicle with it and was then struck by a passing tractor trailer and a pick-up truck. Logan was later arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, police said.
Friends were quick to describe Aquia — nicknamed “Superman” for his impressive athletic physique — as the funniest in the room. Friend Bryan Rizzo said he remembers many nights of raucous parties and “getting crazy.” Rizzo recalled a karaoke night at a bar when Aquia took up the microphone and serenaded the crowd with Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow songs just for a laugh. Other friends agreed he was a College Park legend during his time on the campus.
Aquia is survived by his parents, Salvatore and Rosalina Aquia, his brother Antonio, his sister Elisabetta and many aunts, uncles, family and friends. A Mass was celebrated in Aquia’s honor at St. Clement Catholic Church Tuesday.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory be made to Archbishop Curley High School, Salvatore Aquia Wrestling Scholarship Fund, 3701 Sinclair Lane, Baltimore, Md., 21213.
