3 Easton residents killed in wrong-way crash on Route 15: State PD

STRATFORD, CT – Four people, including three Easton residents, died in a violent oncoming traffic crash on the Merritt Parkway in Stratford early Thursday morning, Connecticut State Police said in an update.

At approximately 1:45 a.m., State Police received multiple reports of a wrong-way driver traveling on Route 15 South in the area of ​​Exit 52 in Stratford.

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Police said the vehicle was involved in a head-on collision and burst into flames.

Police said an investigation revealed the driver of a 2010 Chrysler Town & Country Touring was traveling in the right lane of Route 15 South while the driver of a 2016 Honda CRV was traveling in the southbound lanes was driving northbound, resulting in a head-on collision.

According to police, the Honda was completely engulfed in flames.

According to police, three Easton residents who were in the Chrysler were pronounced dead at the scene.

They were identified as 65-year-old Steven P. Rowland, the driver and passengers Thomas L. Vitale, 80, and Olga Vitale, 81, police said.

The driver of the Honda also died in the accident. Due to the extent of her injuries, police said her identity is pending the results of an autopsy.

According to police, the Stratford Fire Department, Trumbull Fire Department, Stratford EMS and the state Department of Transportation assisted at the scene.

Route 15 South was closed for about seven hours, police said.

The accident remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact Connecticut State Police Troop G at 203-696-2500.