CT teen injured in ‘horrible tragedy’ crash dies; three other teenagers remain hospitalized

A 14-year-old has died and three other teens remain in the hospital after an SUV left the road in Groton early Monday and struck a tree.

Emergency crews learned of the crash on Fishtown Road just after 1:20 a.m. when an iPhone belonging to one of the victims alerted authorities using its crash detection feature, according to Louis J. Fusaro Jr. , chief of the Groton City Police Department.

Fusaro said authorities also received several 911 calls about the crash, which was reported near Little Gull Lane.

First responders discovered four teenagers trapped in a 2012 Toyota 4Runner in a wooded area, according to Fusaro. The vehicle left the road and struck a tree.

All four teens were transported in critical condition to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital after being extricated from the vehicle.

Fusaro said Tuesday that a 14-year-old who was in the vehicle later died. He was identified as Carson Wilson of Groton.

The other three victims, aged 17, were still hospitalized Tuesday, according to Fusaro. They are all Groton residents, including one from the city’s Mystic neighborhood.

“This terrible incident will undoubtedly have a significant and lasting impact not only on Groton and Mystic, but it will extend to surrounding communities through multiple connections,” Fusaro said in a statement.

“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. »

Response to the accident included members of the Mystic Fire Department, Old Mystic Heavy Rescue Fire Department, Noank Fire Department, Groton Ambulance Association, Mystic River Ambulance, North Stonington Ambulance, Lawrence + Memorial Paramedics and Mohegan Tribe Paramedics.

The Groton Police Criminal Investigation Division and the Southeast Connecticut Regional Traffic Unit also responded to investigate the crash. The traffic unit includes officers from the City of Groton, Stonington and Ledyard police departments.

According to a preliminary investigation, the driver of the Toyota was heading north on Fishtown Road, just south of Mystic River Magnet School, when the vehicle crossed into the southbound lane and left the road before striking a tree . The accident remains under investigation.

Any witnesses or people with information were asked to call the Groton Police Department at 860-441-6712.