Driver killed in crash on Gold Star Highway identified, 9-year-old victim in critical condition

GROTON, CT (WFSB) – One woman is dead and another woman and her little girl were seriously hurt after a head-on crash on the Gold Star Highway in Groton.

Police said the Gold Star Highway (Route 184) was closed between Toll Gate Road and Gungywamp Road because of the crash.

Two vehicles collided head-on with a total of three people involved, including a 9-year-old girl, according to officials.

Police arrived on scene at around 6 p.m. to find a Ford Explorer and a Chevy Silverado crashed on the side of the road.

“It looks like a head-on collision between two vehicles. One eastbound, the other westbound. Unfortunately one of the occupants did pass away,” said Chief L.J. Fusaro, Groton Police.

The operator of the Chevrolet Silverado, identified as 37-year-old Carolina Rose, of Ledyard, and her nine-year-old daughter were transported to L&M Hospital, New London for treatment of serious injuries.

Police say Rose is continuing to recover from her injuries. Her 9-year-old daughter was transported to Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital and is currently in critical condition in the PICU (pediatric intensive care unit).

The driver of the Ford Explorer died. Police identified her as 30-year-old Krystal L. Linski of Mystic.

Groton Police say the driver of the Ford Explorer was going east when her car veered off the road, hit a guardrail, then careened into the lane of oncoming traffic before hitting Rose and her daughter.

“Reckless operation. Inattentive driving. Distracted driving. Driving under the influence. All of those things cause accidents of this nature,” said Chief Fusaro.

The Gold Star Highway runs parallel to Interstate 95.

Chief Fusaro says as the summer weighs on, more people will hit the roads.

He is now cautioning everybody to be a safe and aware driver.

“Be careful of your surroundings, but also pay attention to your surroundings. Focus on the road. Not on your phone or other things,” Chief Fusaro said.

Police said the road is expected to be closed for an extended period of time.

Stay with Eyewitness News for updates.

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