VERNON, Conn. — An 11-year-old from Vernon is dead after the car she was riding in crashed with another car on Interstate 84 on Thursday night, police said.
According to state police, two cars were driving east on I-84 around 8:15 p.m. when for an unknown reason, the cars collided.
The first car, driving by a man from Massachusetts, came to a rest in the righthand shoulder of the road. The second car, a Ford Fiesta, came to a final stop by the gore area of exit 67.
The driver of the first car was taken to Rockville General Hospital where he was later released.
One of the passengers in the Ford, 11-year-old Jaidyn Bolduc, was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.
The superintendent of the Vernon Public Schools said in a statement Friday that Bolduc was a 6th-grader at Vernon Center Middle School.
"This is a terrible tragedy for the family and our community," Superintendent Dr. Joseph P. Macary said. "Jaidyn will be sadly missed. Jaidyn was a kind and considerate student and was involved in cheerleading. Her teachers said she was a pleasure to have in class."
He said grief counseling services are available for students and staff at Vernon Center Middle School.
"Please keep Jaidyn’s family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time," Macary said.
Vernon Town Administrator Michael Purcaro also sent this statement to the community, saying they are "deeply saddened and heartbroken as a community and offer our condolences to Jaidyn’s family and friends."
The community came together Friday evening for a vigil to honor her life.
Jaidyn was a cheerleader with the Manchester PopWarner RedHawks. She was supposed to go on a trip with the squad to compete at the national championships in Orlando on Monday.
The organization posted on Facebook the love they have for Jaidyn, saying in part, "Words do not express our heartbreak...Jaidyn, we will leave it all on the mat in honor of you at Nationals on Monday. We love you!"
This is an ongoing investigation, police said. Anyone with information is requested to contact TPR Hyatt #1246 at (860) 896-8004.
Jennifer Glatz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jglatz@fox61.com.
---
Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.