Cheshire High School Student Killed In Crash: Police

CHESHIRE, CT — A Cheshire High School student was killed in a crash Sunday night in Cheshire, police said in an update Monday.

Emergency crews responded around 10 p.m. on March 2 to a one-vehicle crash on Wolf Hill Road near its intersection with Blacks Road, according to Lt. Jeffrey Sutherland.

“First responders found that live power lines were draped over the car and had started a fire that engulfed the vehicle,” Sutherland wrote in a news release. “Once the scene was made safe, it was determined that the operator and lone occupant of the car, identified as 18-year-old Cheshire resident Max Tello, had died inside the vehicle.”

Sutherland said the cause and manner of Tello’s death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Tello was a senior at Cheshire High School, according to Superintendent of Schools Jeff Solan.

“Our prayers and deepest condolences are with Max’s family,” Solan wrote in a message to the school community.

Tello grew up in Cheshire, and also attended Chapman Elementary School and Dodd Middle School, according to Solan.

Solan said Cheshire High School was dismissing early at 12:10 p.m. on Monday to “focus on the emotional needs of our students and staff.”

“Our school district, in coordination with the broader community, has a School Crisis Team comprised of professionals trained to help with the needs of students, parents/caregivers, and school staff at difficult times such as this,” Solan wrote. “We will have professionals available at Cheshire High School to address the many emotions, concerns, and questions for our entire school, especially our students until 4 p.m. through March 5.”

The crash is being investigated by the Cheshire Police Department Traffic Division in conjunction with the Naugatuck Valley Collision Investigation Team, according to Sutherland.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cheshire Police Officer Kristian Johnson at 203-271-5544.

“The men and women of the Cheshire Police and Fire Departments send their condolences to Mr. Tello’s family and friends,” Sutherland wrote.