4 people died in a wrong-way crash on Merritt Parkway in Stratford

Four people were killed in a wrong-way crash on Merritt Parkway in Stratford Thursday morning, according to state police.

The police said they first received reports of a wrong-way driver near exit 52 shortly before 1:45 a.m. on Thursday.

Police said a Honda CRV was traveling north in the southbound lane of Merritt Parkway when it struck a Chrysler Town & Country head-on.

Officials said the driver was the only person in the Honda CR-V.

The driver of the wrong-way car has not yet been identified due to the severity of the injuries sustained in the accident. An autopsy is still pending.

According to police, the car involved in the accident is registered in Massachusetts.

All three people who died in the Chrysler were from Easton. The driver was identified as Steven P. Rowland, 65. The passengers were identified as Thomas Lucian Vitale (81) and Olga Vitale (81).

All four occupants were pronounced dead at the scene.

There was initially no information about speed, seat belts or other factors.

The southbound lane was closed for seven hours, while the northbound lane was closed for some time.

Anyone with information is asked to contact State Police at 203-696-2500.