Teens killed in crash ID'd

By The Associated Press
And Bristol Press Staff
BRISTOL - Four teens heading home after a night of swimming with friends were killed when their sports car crossed into oncoming traffic and struck another car late Thursday, police said.
Three of the teens died at the scene. The 19-year-old driver died as medics rushed him to a nearby hospital, police said Friday.
One of the three people in the other car also was critically injured.
Investigators said they believed speed was a factor.
The crash occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Route 6 near St. Joseph Cemetery when the teens' Subaru sports car crossed the center line, struck a Ford Taurus and rolled into a pole, Bristol police Lt. Tom Grimaldi said. They were heading east at the time.
The dead teens were identified Friday as the driver, Sean Landry of Plymouth; and passengers, Myles Gosselin, 17, of Burlington; and Jordan Gagnon and Alyssa Roy, both 16 and from Farmington. Gagnon formerly lived in West Hartford.
"They basically had been at a friend's house, swimming - a typical summer night," Grimaldi said.
The Terryville couple in the other vehicle, Thomas and Debra Lehman, were returning from Bradley International Airport after picking up a visiting friend, 61-year-old Los Angeles resident Giovanna Tirado, Grimaldi said.
Debra Lehman, 51, was critically injured and was being treated Friday at St. Mary's Hospital in Waterbury, Grimaldi said.
Thomas Lehman, 67, was treated at Waterbury Hospital and released, and Tirado was admitted to Waterbury Hospital for observation and was listed in stable condition Friday.
Officers have not determined whether alcohol may have been a factor, but they believe speed played a role, Grimaldi said.
"There is some physical evidence at the scene that our investigators are looking at, but they're still trying to piece everything together," he said.
"It's sad," said Bristol Mayor William Stortz. "Whatever the circumstances, whatever the cause, it's a shame."
That stretch of highway, said Stortz, is "an area where people drive a little fast."
Friends of the teens gathered early Friday in Bristol as word spread of the fatal collision. Others who knew them said they were shocked and saddened by the news. Grief counseling was also available at some of the schools.
"Sean was just a wonderful young man, a superb, a superb student," Plymouth Superintendent of Schools Anthony Distasio said. "Our hearts and our prayers and our thoughts go out to his family."




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Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com