TORRINGTON, Conn. — An early morning deadly car crash, involving five Litchfield high school students, has rocked two Northwestern Connecticut communities.
The charred remains of a Volvo were carted away from the accident scene on Town Farm Road, in Torrington at approximately 11 AM.
At just after 2:30 AM, the car carrying five Litchfield High School students, between the ages of 14 and 16, lost control, crashing into a tree and careening down into the woods.
Officials say the Torrington Fire Department responded to the area of Town Farm Road.
Upon arrival, a vehicle off the road was fully involved in fire. Firefighters extinguished the fire and assisted with patient care, officials said in a release.
“A Torrington officer was the first on scene. The car was engulfed in flames,” said Torrington Police Chief William Baldwin.
Two students, Matthew Rousseau and Thomas Graveline, both 16 years old, were pronounced dead on the scene.
The three injured students were somehow able to get themselves out of the car.
“Two of those individuals ran for help and banged on some of the doors here contacting 911 for the accident,” said Baldwin.
All three survivors are currently were treated at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford. One was in surgery Tuesday night and one has been released.
“One has serious injuries and the other two have injuries that can be considered serious, but not quite as serious as the one that was flown by Life Star,” said Baldwin.
A neighbor of one of the students killed was the first to pay respects on scene with flowers.
“Me and my mom were devastated,” said Ulysses Docarmo. “We went to go basically to say sorry to the family we thought it would be nice if we go out and buy some flowers.”
While the two didn’t hang out much, Ulysses described the neighbor as a very nice person.
“Me and my mom were probably excited to see him grow up to be someone that Litchfield would remember,” Docarmo said.
Chief Baldwin said some of the responding officers have kids in the same age range as the ones involved in the crash.
Counseling services were available to students, teachers and other staff at Litchfield High School Tuesday from 3 PM until 8 PM. Those services will continue Wednesday morning, from 9 AM to 3 PM.
The only female in the car turns 15 on Wednesday.
The Superintendent of Litchfield Schools issued the following statement:
Dear Community,
I am writing this morning with some difficult news. Early this morning we learned of an overnight car accident involving five students from the Litchfield High School community. The details of this accident are still under investigation by local police.
LItchfield High School is meeting with its staff and details on counseling services for students, staff, and community members will be forthcoming.
I ask at this time you take a moment and offer a prayer, or positive thoughts, for our students, their families, and our community, as it experiences a difficult situation.
Regards,
Christopher Leone
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