Andrew Martinez, drummer for psychobilly groups the Nekromantix and the Rocketz, has passed away. Andrew, also known as Andy DeMize, died in an early morning car accident off the 57 freeway south of Imperial Highway on January 11, 2009. He was only 25 years old.\"My thoughts and condolences go out to his family and everybody that knew Andrew. There is no words to describe the shock... Andrew was probably the most loveable guy I ever met and truely the only person I\'ve met in my life that was loved and liked by everybody met. It\'s just typical Andrew to pull off this \"rockstar death\" way too early. I have no idea how Newcastle Beer will be able to continue to stay in business and I encourage everybody that knew Andrew, was a fan of his work with his bands, to drink one, two or many Newcastles in his honor.\"
Besides Andy, another person died at the scene when a car hit a tree and burst into flames. The driver and another passenger fled the scene acording to CHP Sgt. Paul Pines, who was investigating the 4:40 am incident. According to Pines, the vehicle which ignited a grove of eucalyptus trees, was so badly twisted and shreadded it was barely recognizable as a vintage Chevy Nova:
\"I\'ve never seen a car like this. As for the condition of the car and people in it, pretty bad.\"
The driver was latter arrested for DUI after calling 911 seeking medical assistance.
Andrew Martinez started playing drums at the age of 12, influenced by his older brothers, Aaron (a drummer) and Alex (a guitarist) — both members of a rockabilly/cumbia group, the Moonlight Cruisers.
In May 2006, Andrew joined the Nekromantix as theirnew drummer. He made his album debut with the group on \'Life Is a Grave & I Dig It!\' (2007).
