Teenager dies, 4 others injured in Wolcott crash

A teenager has died and four others are recovering following a car crash in Wolcott on Saturday.

Police say it happened near 734 Spindle Hill Road shortly after 10 p.m. She says a vehicle left the road and hit a tree.

While on their way to the scene, police were informed that the vehicle had caught fire. When officers arrived, they found the front of the car on fire and located it on a small embankment, lying on its side.

Two people were outside the vehicle and told police the other three were inside.

Firefighters put out the fire while an officer reached through the broken window and pulled an individual from the back seat.

The two other front seat occupants, both trapped inside, had to be extracted.

The 17-year-old occupant of the front passenger seat was transported by Lifestar to Hartford Hospital. They are in critical condition.

The driver, aged 18, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said the three rear occupants, ages 16, 18 and 18, were seriously injured and were transported to area hospitals.

The Naugatuck Valley Collision Investigation Team, made up of officers from area cities, was called to the scene and is investigating the cause of the crash. Wolcott Police Sgt. Jeff Reichard is the lead investigator.