Father, Son Killed After Car Crashes Into Tree: Police

BRISTOL, CT — A 35-year-old father and his 12-year-old son were killed in a single-vehicle crash, police said.

At 10:52 a.m. Saturday, the Bristol Police Department communication center received a 911 call reporting a single vehicle crash in the 600 block of Willis Street. Police, Fire, and EMS services responded to the accident scene.

The first arriving officers found a single vehicle with three occupants that had left the roadway and struck a tree, police said. Officers began life-saving measures, and fire personnel were needed for extrication, police said.

The first extrication was done at 11:06 a.m. and the second at 11:10 a.m. The third passenger did not require extrication, police said. Bristol EMS transported all three victims to Bristol Hospital; however, the driver and front-seat passenger were subsequently declared deceased, police said. The third, rear-seat passenger was transported to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The deceased male operator is 35 years of age and the father of the two juvenile occupants.

The deceased male front-seat passenger is 12 years of age.

The surviving male rear-seat passenger is 10 years of age.

The victims of this crash are from the City of Waterbury and next of kin notification has been completed.

The Bristol Police Department Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team (START) responded to the scene and will be leading this investigation. Initial findings indicate that a 2006 Honda Civic was traveling northbound on Willis Street, in the 600 block, when it left the roadway and collided with a tree on the eastern side of the roadway, police said;

“The Bristol Police Department and the entire city extend its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased,” said Chief Mark Morello. “This tragedy is especially difficult given the young age of the deceased passenger, the upcoming holidays, and our hearts ache.”

“I want to thank and acknowledge our police, fire, and EMS personnel for their quick response and efforts to provide the best possible care for the victims in this case,” Chief Mark Morello continued. “Given the nature and ages of those involved in this tragedy, PEER support is being offered to our personnel.”

“This is a horribly tragic impact to a family,” stated Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu. “I would like to thank both Police Chief Mark Morello and Fire Chief Rick Hart for being on-hand this afternoon to oversee how this incident unfolded and their departments’ involvement. I also had a conversation with Bristol EMS leadership to check in with them and with Waterbury Mayor Pernerewski so that he would have the opportunity to ensure appropriate response within his City.”

If anyone has any information about the crash or has surveillance footage of the crash or events leading up to the crash is urged to contact Officer Kosiba, 860-584-3035 or ryankosiba@bristolct.gov.