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Bristol Crash Kills Four Teens

Three Adults Hospitalized With Injuries

POSTED: 9:59 am EDT August 24, 2007
UPDATED: 11:06 pm EDT August 24, 2007

Speed was a factor in a crash that killed four teenagers overnight in Bristol, investigators said.

Bristol police descended upon Route 6 after two cars crashed in front of the St. Joseph Cemetery at about 11:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Video: Teens Pronounced Dead At Crash Scene

Authorities identified the driver as Sean Landry, 19, of Plymouth. Passengers in the car included Myles Gosselin, 17, of Burlington, and Alyssa Roy and Jordan Gagnon, both 16 and of Farmington. All of the teens were pronounced dead at the scene.

"It is very sobering, to say the least, to look at that vehicle now, knowing that four people were in the vehicle and all have died and all are young kids," Bristol police Lt. Tom Grimaldi said. "They basically had been at a friend's house, swimming -- a typical summer night."

"Alyssa as a very fun-loving girl. She always went with the flow, she was very charismatic, she always had nice things to say about everyone," said Jamie Pere, a friend.

One of the teens was a student at Farmington High School, where grief counseling was made available on Friday and Monday. Many people attended a vigil at the crash scene at 8 p.m. on Friday.

"I just ran out of tears," said Mark Paparello Jr., a friend of the victims who attended the vigil.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Jessica Schneider reported the teens were in a silver Subaru WRX traveling eastbound when Landry lost control of the car and crossed into oncoming traffic. The crash pushed the front passenger's seat to the driver's side of the car.

"This is the second time this year I've seen it this bad," said Bernie Whitnick, who was called in to tow the vehicle. "With four people, it's really bad."

Whitnick said the Subaru WRX is a car notoriously known for its speed, small size and light weight. Investigators said it may be difficult to determine the actual speed at which the car was traveling because the car was equipped with all-wheel drive.

Officials said the occupants in the other vehicle, a Ford Taurus, were returning from Bradley International Airport after picking up a visiting friend. They were transported to area hospitals for treatment and authorities said the occupants were critically injured.

Debra Lehman, 51, of Terryville, was identified as one of the passengers in the other car, a Ford Taurus. She was critically injured and remained hospitalized at noon at St. Mary's Hospital in Waterbury. Her husband, Thomas Lehman, 67, was treated and released from Waterbury Hospital.

As of 5 p.m., Giovanna Tirado, 61, of Los Angeles, was last listed in stable condition at Waterbury Hospital.

Landry and a front seat passenger were wearing seat belts; the two back seat passengers were not, Grimaldi said. All three in the Lehman car were wearing seat belts, Grimaldi said.

Eyewitness News has learned that Landry's driving record contains two citations. One of the tickets was issued for speeding and another was issued for traveling too fast for conditions. After the second citation, a judge ordered Landry to take a driver re-training course with the DMV, which was completed in July 2006.

Police said they hope others will take warning.

"It is a very real possibility that this could happen at anytime to anybody. Just be careful," Grimaldi said.

School resource officers are preparing to comfort the friends of the four teens as school opens in next week.

Click here to e-mail news tips to Eyewitness News, or dial: 866-289-0333.
Refresh WFSB.com often and watch Channel 3 Eyewitness News for the latest news updates.

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