WOLCOTT, Conn. — A vehicle crashed into a tree Saturday night in Wolcott, leaving the 18-year-old driver dead and four other teens hospitalized, the town's police department said.
Police said they received a report at 10:02 p.m. about a vehicle that had gone off the road and hit a tree in the area of Spindle Hill Road. As they were headed to the scene, officers were also told by dispatch that the car was "now on fire."
The vehicle was found by officers down a small embankment, laying on its side against a tree, police said, noting that the front was on fire.
Two people were out of the vehicle as officers arrived and told them that three were still inside.
While a Wolcott firefighter showed up and and worked to put the fire out, police said an officer pulled a person out of the shattered rear window, as well as a back seat passenger.
Two other people still trapped in the vehicle were removed after the Wolcott Fire Department arrived and put out the fire, according to police.
The 18-year-old driver was found dead at the scene, police said. Their identity has not been released at this time.
A 17-year-old in the front passenger seat was taken by a Life Star helicopter to Hartford Hospital in critical condition, according to police. Three back seat passengers, aged 16, 18 and 18-years-old, had "very serious injuries" and were taken by ambulance to local hospitals.
The cause of the crash is currently known as the Naugatuck Valley Collision Investigation Team, consisting of police from area towns, are investigating. Wolcott Police Sgt. Jeff Reichard is leading the investigation.
Wolcott School Superintendent Shawn Simpson said in a statement that two of the teens who were injured are current Wolcott High School students and that "all involved had ties at some point to Wolcott Public Schools."
"Our sincere condolences and thoughts go out to those involved, their family, friends and the first responders," Simpson said.
Simpson noted that "counseling and bereavement support services" will be offered for all students and staff, and that a team of "student support staff including counselors, social workers, school psychologists, and mental health professionals" will be available for anyone in need throughout the upcoming days from 1-3 p.m. at Wolcott High School.
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