Teens trapped in burning vehicle in CT crash

An 18-year-old died and four other teenagers were seriously injured in a crash Saturday evening in which the vehicle they were in caught fire, police said.

When police arrived at the scene of a crash in Wolcott Saturday evening, they found two teenagers standing outside a burning vehicle that was lying on its side against a tree.

The teens told police there were three people still inside the vehicle, which was partially in flames and had crashed into an embankment, police said.

Officers responded to the scene at 734 Spindle Hill Rd. just after 10 p.m. – it was during the Wolcott High School prom. A firefighter quickly began battling the flames with a fire extinguisher, while a police officer “reached into the broken rear window” and pulled out the person who was still in the back seat, Wolcott police said.

The Wolcott Volunteer Fire Department arrived on scene and extinguished the remainder of the fire. The two people in the front seat were trapped inside and had to be extricated from the vehicle, police said.

The accident happened the same night as the local high school's prom, which was scheduled for 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., according to the school's website.

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

The other person removed from the front seat, a 17-year-old, was flown to Hartford Hospital by Lifestar in critical condition.

The three teenagers in the back seat – aged 16 and 18 – “sustained very serious injuries” and were transported to local hospitals.

The Naugatuck Valley Collision Investigation was called to the scene and will continue its investigation, under the direction of Wolcott Police Sergeant Jeff Reichard. The teenagers have not been identified.