Fatal Crash Closes Part Of Route 140 In Ellington: CSP [UPDATED]

ELLINGTON, CT — A sport utility vehicle traveling westbound on Route 140 at a high rate of speed near Crystal Lake crashed into a tree and erupted into flames Monday night, killing a passenger, according to state police.

The crash was reported around 7:55 p.m. on Sandy Beach Road near the junction of Buff Cap Road. A state police report indicates the operator of a 2016 Kia Sorento lost control of the vehicle and collided with a tree.

The driver, a 20-year-old man from Storrs, and a passenger, a 19-year-old man from Stafford, escaped from the SUV before it burst into flames, and were taken to Hartford Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. A second passenger, who state police said "will later be identified through further investigation," was pronounced dead.

Anyone who witnessed the accident, has information or has dash camera footage that captured the accident is asked to contact Trooper Stefanie Gurski at Troop C in Tolland at 860-896-3200 or by email at Stefanie.Gurski@ct.gov.