Vigil held for 14-year-old boy killed in Mystic crash

St. Bernard School students hold candles during a vigil for Carson Wilson Tuesday evening on the lawn of Wheeler Library in North Stonington. Wilson, 14, a student at the school, was killed in a car crash early Monday in Mystic.

At least 200 people, including students and families from area towns, attended a vigil Tuesday evening on the lawn of Wheeler Library in North Stonington to remember Carson Wilson of Groton, who died in a car crash Monday morning in Mystic.

His older brother Skyler Wilson, 17, along with Kais Shiman, 17, of Mystic and Alex Quilter, 18, of Groton, who were all in the car that crashed on Fishtown Road at 1:21 a.m. Monday, are remained hospitalized on Tuesday.

There were two vigils for the teens Tuesday, one in Noank and the second in North Stonington.

At the latter, the crowd lit candles and gathered around Margaret Leonard, director of Christian education at North Stonington Congregational Church, as the sun set. Leonard looked down at some pieces of paper she had been writing on throughout the day.

“If you’re here today and you haven’t built a relationship with God, I don’t expect you to build one today,” she said. “I might expect you to do the opposite, because it’s absolutely baffling.” It’s just the kind of thing that shakes you to your core.

“Some of us may have never lost anyone. Some of us have already done this. But the most important thing to do when that happens is what we do, come together, added church pastor Sue Latourette.

Earlier Tuesday, North Stonington Schools Superintendent Troy Hopkins released a statement saying the entire community mourned the Wilson family, former longtime residents of the community.

“This is something no family should have to go through,” he said at the vigil.

Hopkins noted the number of people attending the vigil from across the region. He said the Wilson family had a positive impact not only on North Stonington but also on other nearby towns as the family moved, most recently to Groton.

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City police said the crash happened at 1:21 a.m. on Fishtown Road near Little Gull Lane, where officers found a 2012 Toyota 4-Runner in the woods with the four teens inside. Police said their initial investigation determined the SUV was traveling north on Fishtown Road, just south of Mystic River Magnet School, when it crossed into the southbound lane and left the road, striking a TREE.

All four men were freed from the vehicle by firefighters and were in critical condition when transported to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital. Police have not yet identified who was driving the SUV.

On Tuesday morning, police said they were notified at 10:53 p.m. Monday that Carson Wilson had died from his injuries.

He and his brother, Skyler Wilson, both started attending St. Bernard School in Montville this year. Skyler is a senior and Carson was a freshman.

St. Bernard School Principal Don Macrino said Tuesday that the two teens were known to other students because they had played in a lacrosse program that featured players from North Stonington and St. Bernard.

“They immediately integrated into the Saint-Bernard community. Both are great kids. They were immediately appreciated. They fit in great and had a great year,” Macrino said.

The Wilson brothers also have a younger sister in eighth grade at St. Bernard who was at school Tuesday and was greeted by a welcoming and friendly student body, Macrino said.

There is a GoFundMe online fundraiser to support their parents Chris and Sterna Wilson. As of 8:45 p.m. Tuesday evening, 1,100 people had donated more than $76,000 for the family.

City of Groton Police Chief LJ Fusaro released a statement saying “this terrible incident will undoubtedly have a significant and lasting impact not only on Groton and Mystic, but it will extend to surrounding communities throughout multiple connections.

“Our department expresses its sincere condolences and prayers to the families affected by this horrific tragedy and we remain committed to conducting a thorough, impartial and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances that led to this accident,” he said.

Macrino said that after hearing news of the accident, a team of staff members met Monday to develop a plan for how to talk to students. Students were all given the opportunity to speak with staff or go home if necessary.

“They grieved rightly and many of our students went to chapel, lit candles and prayed in memory of Carson and in hopes of a full recovery for his brother, Skyler,” said Macrino said.

Several St. Bernard School students at the vigil said Carson had just transferred to the school last year.

Freshman Analece Potter said she only met Carson for the first time on Friday of last week.

“He was a really nice person and he was really nice when I talked to him,” she recalled.

Freshman Kira Davila added that among “many little interactions” with Carson, he never failed to make her laugh.

Freshman Gabriella Paulino said Carson was “super uplifting.”

“Like if I felt sad, he would just say something.” I had nothing to say,” she added.

The accident remains under investigation. City police are asking anyone who witnessed the accident or has other information that could help officers with their case to call them at (860) 441-6712.

Editor’s note: This version corrects the age of Alex Quilter.