Sacred Heart University students, Uber driver seriously hurt in crash

FAIRFIELD, CT (WFSB) - Six people, including college students, were involved in a serious crash on the Sacred Heart University campus in Fairfield around midnight on Friday.

Fairfield police gave an update on the conditions of the crash victims Monday.

Two female students who were taken to the hospital have been discharged, police said.

Authorities said two other female students are in critical but stable condition. The Uber driver is also critical but stable.

A male student is still in critical condition, Fairfield police said.

Police held a news conference at 11:30 a.m. Friday, during which they revealed that the two-vehicle crash involved four SHU students and an Uber driver in one vehicle and a single SHU student in the other.

Officers on the scene told Channel 3 that the two drivers traveled in opposite directions and collided head-on near Jefferson Street and Park Avenue.

“The five occupants of one vehicle and one occupant of the other were all transported to the area hospitals with critical injuries,” said Lt. Edward Nook, Fairfield police.

The vehicle with five people in it included four female SHU students and the Uber driver.

The solo driver in the other vehicle was also said to be a SHU student. Police said it appeared that as the student came around the corner, the student lost control of the vehicle for an unknown reason and hit the Uber vehicle.

The people involved have not been identified.

Video footage from Doing It Local depicted a hectic scene with many first responders and the two severely damaged vehicles shortly after the crash.

One of the vehicles was upside down on its roof.

Officers said the investigation into the collision was ongoing.

“The weather is kind of how we’re feeling like, all kind of down. Don’t know what to say,” said Maggie Brogioli, Sacred Heart University sophomore.

“I feel like we didn’t understand the severity of it at first when we drove past it. Then we looked further and saw like how bad it was,” said Ava Srinivasan, Sacred Heart University sophomore.

The university canceled classes Friday morning to allow those on campus to attend a prayer service.

“It was really nice for everyone to come together,” said Brogioli.

Richard Nichio, owner of the nearby Crown Cafe, called the community tight-knit. He said a large portion of his customer base has been SHU students and staff members.

“It’s just a shame, you know. It’s parents weekend, I’m sure they’re parents are very upset,” Nichio said. “I’m a parent myself, three children, and if that happened to me, it’d just be heartbreaking. It’s a terrible thing.”

Sacred Heart University released a statement on Friday morning.

As police investigate, the university said it will be there for its students and their families, offering whatever support they need.

“We will get through this, all of us will get through this together, but it will certainly take some time,” said Gary McNamara, Executive Director of Public Safety at Sacred Heart University.

Police said the investigation is early and fluid, but they will be looking to see if speed, alcohol and even weather conditions played a role in the crash.

The crash scene has since cleared, and there was no impact on traffic by rush hour on Friday morning.

This is a developing story. Stay with Channel 3 for updates.